Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a framework for integrating levels (or tiers) of academic and behavior support to promote the success of all students. The ultimate goal of a MTSS is to provide high-quality instruction and the degree of support each student needs to be successful. MTSS is not a special program, class, or intervention, but rather a way of organizing instruction and intervention to help all students and promote early identification of students needing additional academic or behavioral support to be successful. MTSS is also used to help identify students who may need special education.
Schools screen all students to identify students needing additional support through the use of universal screeners. The School Wide MTSS Team analyzes that data to make instructional decisions and to identify students who may need additional support. For students needing additional support, a school based-team uses a problem solving process to develop and implement evidence-based interventions and monitor student response (See Tiered Intervention).