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Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (referred to as MTSS) is a systemic approach to decision-making for excellence and equity within a culture of continuous improvement that focuses on successful outcomes for all students. This systemic approach:

  • Supports the collaboration of all adults to meet the academic, behavioral, social and emotional needs of all students,
  • Provides a layered system of high-quality, evidence-based instruction, intervention, and assessment practices that are matched to student strengths and needs,
  • Relies on the effective and timely use of meaningful data,
  • Helps districts and their schools organize resources to accelerate the learning of every student, and Engages and develops the collective expertise of educators, students, family and community partnerships.

WNESU schools comply with 16 V.S.A. § 2902 by ensuring that each school in our district  maintains a tiered system of academic and behavioral supports for the purpose of providing all students with the opportunity to succeed or to be challenged in the general education environment.

Universal Supports

Educators often refer to Tier 1 supports as “universal” because they are provided to every student. Strong Tier 1 practices are essential for strengthening school climate, relationships, and classroom instruction. Examples of Tier 1 supports include:

  • High-quality core instruction.
  • Embedding social-emotional learning into curriculum and assessment.
  • Cultivating a positive and inclusive school climate.

Many school districts create Tier 1 school climate teams or embed Tier 1 supports into school improvement planning.

Targeted Supports

  • Tier 2 supports are targeted, additional interventions delivered to students who are not responding to Tier 1 supports. Typically, around 15 to 20% of students will receive Tier 2 support, which are often given in small group settings.

WNESU Schools convene MTSS School-level and CARES (Coordination, Assessment, Response, Education) teams to identify at-risk students who need more targeted support and use data from multiple domains to determine appropriate interventions.

Intensive  Support

  • Tier 3 supports refer to intensive services that 1 to 5% of students receive if they continue to struggle and require even more individualized intervention or +support. It is also for students who are undergoing more of an acute challenge.