A multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) is a proactive and preventative framework that can meet the needs of all students. Despite all 50 states providing guidance on its use to local educators, many schools find themselves struggling to implement it well. In fact, while over 70% of surveyed districts report using MTSS, only 35% of districts reported having a “well established” MTSS.
This begs the question as to how can schools improve their MTSS. At the Center on MTSS at American Institutes for Research (MTSS Center), our mission is to support schools with their MTSS. To help improve MTSS, ask these five questions.
1. Do your students like coming to school?
MTSS is about students. It is hard to imagine a successful school if students don’t feel engaged, connected, or like coming every day. If we expect students to show up for school and learn the skills they need to succeed, they must first feel valued.
Students who enjoy coming to school have a higher sense of student belonging, which is the overall value students feel in connection to their school. In fact, a sense of student belonging is connected to positive academic and social-emotional behavioral outcomes. Yet, a recent survey revealed nearly half of all students don’t feel a sense of belonging to their school. Do your students feel that they are a part of the school community? How do you know? For ideas on how to ensure student belonging, visit the PROGRESS Center.
2. Does MTSS take too much time?
Providing intervention to students takes time to design and deliver thoughtfully, which can put pressure on the time constraints of any school system. However, did you know that 70-80% of students who receive a standard Tier 2 intervention demonstrate positive growth and no longer need additional support (Hawken et al., 2020; Vaughn et al., 2012)?
Schools can save time and energy by using standardized, evidence-based Tier 2 interventions that fit easily within your schedule. Below are two resources to use to select and evaluate interventions:
- Determine if interventions meet the definition for Tier 2 by using our 10 Essential Features of Tier 2 infographic.
- Carefully select interventions using the FAIR Test from the National Center on Systemic Improvement to help make the decision.
3. Are you using what you have?
Schools may often feel the need to find novel interventions or assessment tools for MTSS. However, before choosing something new we suggest asking, “Are we using what we already have?”
We recommend first checking the extent to which you’re implementing your current practices (i.e., interventions, instruction, assessments) with fidelity before making changes. You may find that the solution isn’t to do something different, but rather to improve fidelity of your current practices. Here are a few steps to take to get started:
- Measure fidelity of interventions using checklists. You can complete these after you deliver an intervention or someone can observe the intervention.
- Conduct spot checks on your data collection tools. Have someone observe you to make sure you use an assessment accordingly and gather the data accurately.
- Use walk-through data to see if students are receiving similar instruction between classrooms during Tier 1/core instruction.
4. Do you groan when you see a progress monitoring graph?
Did you know that progress monitoring is the least implemented component of MTSS[1]? Schools provide interventions, but they don’t have the time or clear decision rules to check whether their efforts actually help students. Simplify your ability to analyze progress monitoring data by using these tips:
- Graph all data. Ensure the horizontal axis represents the date when data are gathered, and the vertical axis represents the data you’ve gathered.
- Identify clear goals for students. We suggest using benchmark standards for students in the moderate risk range and rate of improvement rates for students in a high-risk range.
- Use clear decision rules to allow quick analysis of progress. We suggest using the 4-point rule (illustrated below). After six to nine data points, analyze the last four data points. If student data are above the goal line, consider fading supports. If data are below the goal line, make a change.

5. Is MTSS worth it?
It can take several years to fully implement MTSS. During this time, you will experience the ups and downs of implementation. While it can feel deflating at times, you have the power to impact students’ lives now. Maximize your work by focusing on factors you can change today within your instruction, curriculum, and environment.
Leverage our suite of resources to enhance your teaching:
- Access the RIOT/ICEL matrix to identify factors you have power over.
- Use our problem-solving flipbook to strengthen your team conversations.
- Watch this webinar and read this post on what to do when students don’t respond to interventions.
Use these five questions to reflect on your MTSS. Be sure you receive the latest news and updates by signing up for our newsletter!
Check out these resources to learn more:
- MTSS Fidelity of Implementation Rubric
- MTSS: The What and the How
- Guidance for District Leadership on MTSS
[1] Based on national data from the MTSS Fidelity of Implementation Rubric, progress monitoring is consistently rated the lowest component among our clients.