A prevention framework that organizes building-level resources to address each individual student’s academic and/or behavioral needs within intervention tiers that vary in intensity. MTSS allows for the early identification of learning and behavioral challenges and timely intervention for students who are at risk for poor learning outcomes. The increasingly intense tiers (i.e., Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3), sometimes referred to as levels of prevention (i.e., primary, secondary, intensive prevention levels), represent a continuum of supports.

National Association of Intensive Intervention 

Response to Intervention (RtI), the original tiered intervention title, looked at the academic scores from screeners and included students' talks and movement through the tiers. The difference is that the MTSS process encompasses additional research-based strategic protocols, such as PBIS, family engagement, and curriculum identification of Essential Course Outcomes, and more. See Figure A below as a visual representation of MTSS encompassing multiple areas strategic protocols.

FIGURE A

MTSS Chapter - Ceedar Education - UFL

Many public schools, at levels, have taken on the task of developing their own MTSS process to support students at all levels as well increase student achievement. At Oskaloosa High School, a town in rural Iowa, the administration and staff developed a system of MTSS to reduce the number of failed courses at the high school level as well as improve student achievement overall. Figure B looks at the study results of Oskaloosa High School over a three year time period. The results showed an overall decrease in the number of failed courses for each grade level at the high school. Figure Bis a graphic of the results over that three year period.

Figure B

Vermeer - Northwestern College 2017

Vermeer - Northwestern College 2017

Vermeer - Northwestern College 2017

While developing an efficient and effective MTSS protocol can be all encompassing and time consuming, the benefits can much outweigh the difficulties in getting the protocol started.

Panorama Education is one of many resources that support schools in developing and implementing the MTSS process. Additionally, they provide research results from the work that is done with the school districts. Through the work and results, Panorama Education compiled a list of benefits as well as challenges. See Figure C to explore the benefits and challenges.

Figure C

Panorama Education

Panorama Education

The MTSS Process has shown to be effective for many public schools and many students. The key is to develop a protocol with intention, transparency, and participation. Learning more about how other schools have implemented the process is a great tool for learning and growing your own program. Evaluation of effectiveness of the building’s MTSS process is extremely important as students and staff modify each year.

References:

Buckle, J. (n.d.-b). The State of MTSS in Education: Infographic. The State of MTSS in Education: Infographic. Retrieved August 9, 2021, from https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/state-mtss-in-education-infographic

*MTSS: Multi-Tier Systems of Support. (2016). MTSS: Multi-Tier System of Support. https://ceedar.education.ufl.edu/mtss-udl-di-dev/MTSSchapterStart.html

*Northwestern College - Orange Beach. (2017, May). Impacts of MTSS on the Performance of Struggling Students. Northwestern College - Iowa. https://nwcommons.nwciowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1029&context=education_masters