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Westerly Public Schools: Multi Tiered System of Supports
A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a comprehensive system of evidence-based practices that address academic AND social and emotional concerns within a recursive and systematic problem-solving process. MTSS focuses on providing instruction and intervention to proactively meet the needs of ALL children.
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MTSS OVERVIEW
The Multi-Tiered System of Supports Framework
WHAT IS A MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORTS (MTSS)?
MTSS stands for Multi-Tiered System of Supports. MTSS is an instructional framework that includes universal screening of all students, multiple tiers of instruction and support services, and an integrated data collection and assessment system to inform decisions at each tier of instruction. The framework can be used for, but is not limited to literacy, math, and positive behavior supports.
HOW DOES MTSS DIFFER FROM RTI?
“Response to Intervention” (RtI) and MTSS are sometimes used interchangeably among educators. The RtI framework was developed after the 2004 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). It offers an alternative path to identifying students as eligible for special education services from the older IQ-achievement discrepancy criteria. The emphasis in MTSS is to provide effective instruction and intervention by providing evidence-based, high quality instruction and interventions in all tiers. MTSS is a more recent and comprehensive framework that includes academic and social emotional, and behavioral components with an emphasis at Tier 1.
MTSS emphasizes multiple levels of instruction and support for all learners, including students with advanced skills or struggling students who may or may not be eligible for special education services. MTSS is a general education initiative that strives to ensure that practices, policies, and programs are aligned on classroom, school, and district levels. MTSS is a framework for supporting all students regardless of whether or not they are also receiving services through special education.
In addition to focusing on student support, MTSS emphasizes professional development and instructional support for general education and support staff who are delivering instruction. MTSS is more likely to produce professional development that is aligned across a school and district. Finally, MTSS requires a greater collaboration between general education, special education, service providers, and building principals within each school as well as between the school and the district.
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Social-Emotional & Behavior
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WHAT IS A MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORTS (MTSS)?
MTSS stands for Multi-Tiered System of Supports. MTSS is an instructional framework that includes universal screening of all students, multiple tiers of instruction and support services, and an integrated data collection and assessment system to inform decisions at each tier of instruction. The framework can be used for, but is not limited to literacy, math, and positive behavior supports.
KEY COMPONENTS OF MTSS
- MTSS encompasses RtI, SEL, and PBIS.
- MTSS addresses academic as well as the social, emotional, and behavioral development of children from early childhood to graduation.
- MTSS provides multiple levels of support for all learners (struggling through advanced).
- MTSS aligns resources and supports for students receiving instruction AND for teachers and other support staff who are delivering the instruction such as programs and materials.
- MTSS framework is an educational systems change paradigm continuously focused on overall school improvement that is sustainable.
- MTSS models strive to ensure that practices, policies, and programs are aligned on classroom, school, and district levels.
- MTSS produces benefits from continued support for teachers in delivering instruction, utilizing and developing effective curriculum, administering assessments, and using data to guide instruction.
- MTSS requires a greater focus on collaboration between general education and special education within each school as well as between the school and the district office and to some degree, changes the way that they have traditionally worked together to include a more collaborative and cohesive culture.
- MTSS is more likely to produce professional development that is aligned across school and district settings.
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MTSS IMPLEMENTATION STAGES
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MTSS Implementation Plan Overview
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WPS MTSS District Implementation Team
The District MTSS Implementation team is represented by members from all schools, at all levels, and in all roles. Members on this team review, develop, and plan for implementation of different MTSS components.
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School Level MTSS Implementation Teams
Each school is represented by a School Level MTSS Implementation Team. This team takes what has been developed, reviewed, and/ or approved at the district level and plans fpor school level implementation. This team also reports back to the district team on specific school level successes and challenges.
