Information for Families
What is a Multi-Tiered System of Supports?
MTSS is a term used to describe an evidence-based model of schooling that uses data-based problem-solving to integrate academic and behavioral instruction and intervention. The integrated instruction and intervention is provided to students at varying levels of intensity based on student need. The goal is to prevent problems and intervene early so that students can be successful.
What happened to Response to Intervention (RtI)?
Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a more accurate term that refers to one seamless framework that provides varying levels of academic and behavior supports to students based upon their need.
· The term RtI has been used to refer to the framework of multi-tiered supports.
· RtI refers to the 4th step of the planning/problem solving process/
· MTSS is used to promote accurate and consistent language to convey Florida’s way of work/
· Schools may choose to refer to their system as an RtI framework.
· Information for Families
What can I expect with MTSS?
· Frequent updates of student progress
· Early identification of academic or behavioral concerns at the first signs of difficulty.
· Help for you child that increases or decreases depending on his or her needs.
· Information and involvement in planning and providing intervention to help your child.
· Information about how your child is responding to the interventions being provided.
What do I do if I believe my child is struggling?
· Talk with your child’s teacher.
· Review and assist with homework assignments.
· Ask for regular progress monitoring reports.
· Celebrate your child’s success. Learn more about the curriculum, assessments and interventions being used in your child’s school.
· Participate in conferences and other meetings about your child.
· If you feel that your child has a disability, you have the right to request an evaluation. The school team will work with you utilizing the data based problem solving process and determine if the evaluation is necessary.
How can I participate in MTSS?
Families play a critical role in supporting what their children are learning in school. The more parents are involved in student learning, the higher the student achievement. Ask questions to learn more about MTSS in your child’s school:
· Is my child successful? How do I know? If not, why and what can we do differently?
· If needed, how is additional help going to be provided? By whom? How often? For how long?
· What can I do to participate in problem-solving about my child?
· What can I do to help with the interventions for my child at home?
· How will I know if interventions are working?
Additional resources can be found at: http://www.florida-rti.org/parentresources/index.htm