A Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) is a term used in Kansas to describe how schools go about providing supports for each child in their building to be successful and the processes and tools teachers use to make decisions.
There are two federal laws that have made a difference in how schools deliver and coordinate services for children. The first is the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). This Act set a standard for schools that by the year 2014 all students are to meet standards in the areas of reading and math and that schools would have a high graduation rate and low dropout rate.
The second law influencing districts and schools to adopt a MTSS is the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA is the federal law that defines and explains special education in this country. In this law, the term Response to Intervention (RtI) was introduced and will influence the way districts identify and serve students with exceptionalities.
Definition
MTSS is a coherent continuum of evidence based, system-wide practices to support a rapid response to academic and behavioral needs, with frequent data-based monitoring for instructional decision-making to empower each Kansas student to achieve high standards.
Core Beliefs
Every child learns and achieves to high standards
Learning includes academic and social competencies
Every member of the education community continues to grow, learn and reflect
Every leader at all levels is responsible for every student
Change is intentional, coherent and dynamic
How to Achieve these Beliefs
Every child will be provided a rigorous and research-based curriculum
Every child will be provided effective and relentless teaching
Interventions will be provided at the earliest identification of need
Policy will be based on evidence based practice
Every educator will continuously gain knowledge and develop expertise to build capacity and sustain effective practice
Resources will be intentionally designed and redesigned to match student needs
Every leader will be responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating
Academic and behavioral data will be used to inform instructional decisions
Educators, families and community members will be part of the fundamental practice of effective problem-solving and instructional decision making
An empowering culture creates collective responsibility for student success
The Goal of MTSS
The main goal of MTSS is for schools to use their resources in ways that help figure out what it takes for each child to be successful. This is accomplished by:
Being prevention oriented: knowing who needs support early each year and putting those supports in place
Implement evidence-based interventions for all students and tailoring interventions based on a student’s needs
Using progress monitoring data to know when to make a change with our effort
