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Introduction to MTSS

Education forms the backbone of any thriving community, and in an era where diversity is celebrated, the traditional concept of a one-size-fits-all curriculum falls short of meeting the needs of dynamic learners. Over the past couple of decades, we have seen the traditional education system failing in the aspect of individualized support for diverse learners. This is where the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) makes a difference by providing a framework designed to tailor educational assistance to the unique needs of each learner.

MTSS is an educational framework that makes sure that no student is left behind in the process of learning. Each student has his/her own learning difficulties and in order to overcome these, the 3 tiers of MTSS comprehends students' performance in the form of a funnel and provides support till the end. Let’s discuss each of this tier in further detail. 

Tier 1 Interventions: Universal Support

Tier 1 interventions are the foundational level of support in the (MTSS) framework. These interventions are designed to benefit all students within a general education setting and aim to create a positive and inclusive learning environment. Some of the examples of Tier 1 interventions include: 

1. High-quality curriculum and instruction

The curriculum design process is immensely important for the learning aspect as it defines exactly what has to be taught. Studies show that evidence-based curriculum is best suited for education coupled with research-based teaching techniques that can be effective for the majority of students in a given grade level. 

2. Classroom management strategies

The way a classroom is managed defines the learning experience. One of the effective tier 1 interventions is to create a positive and structured environment within the class room. This can result in higher engagement of the majority of students. 

3. School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (SWPBIS)

There are no boundaries in learning, but the importance of a school can not be debated. An example of a tier 1 intervention is to have schools provide a structured environment that encourages students to be at their best behavior and learn. This also includes having proper disciplinary procedures for inappropriate student behavior. 

Tier 2 Interventions: Targeted Interventions

Tier 2 interventions in the MTSS framework provide targeted support for students who require additional assistance beyond the universal strategies of Tier 1. These interventions are designed to address specific learning or behavioral challenges and are implemented in small groups. Some of the examples of Tier 2 interventions include:

1. Small Group Instruction

After the application of tier 1 interventions, smaller student groups can be identified that did not benefit from those interventions. For these small groups, specific and individualized instructions are required and provided in tier 2 interventions that can result in better engagement and education of students. Such instructions are improvised to better suit the identified groups for their diverse needs. 

2. Targeted Behavior Interventions

The students that are identified to not benefit from the universal support interventions are often categorized in terms of their behavioral characteristics. To target these students, teachers collaborate with psychologists and counselors for targeted behavior interventions. Teachers are then able to strategize the teaching experience that is specific to behavioral diversities of students. 

3. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs

Students who need further support after tier 1 interventions are often dealing with social and emotional difficulties. For this, SEL programs can be utilized as tier 2 interventions where the development of social skills and emotional intelligence of the students can be harnessed. This intervention can result in self management, social awareness and responsible decision making. 

Tier 3 Interventions: Intensive Supports

Tier 3 interventions in the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) are the most intensive and individualized level of support. These interventions are designed for students who continue to struggle academically and behaviorally despite receiving Tier 1 universal support, and targeted interventions at Tier 2. Tier 3 interventions are highly personalized to address the unique needs of individual students. Some of the examples of Tier 3 interventions include:

1. Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)

Students who fall through the cracks of both tier 1 and tier 2 interventions are the ones who need highly specific individualized interventions. Such interventions include the IEPs as they provide educational plans designed according to the specific needs of the student. 

2. Special Education Services

Often, the students who are still left out after the first two tiers of interventions are in need of special education services. This can include the use of teaching methodologies specific to the students with disabilities. The first step to this is identifying the disability with the help of doctors and psychologists after which the student can be connected to the special education service provider relevant to the disability. 

3. Intensive Behavioral Interventions

The students who are in the need of tier 3 interventions are likely to have extreme behavioral difficulties. For these students, the perfect tier 3 intervention is the intensive behavioral intervention. This includes Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) followed by the development of Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) that outlines specific strategies to address and positively impact the students behavior. 

Challenges in MTSS implementation

MTSS implementation in schools is easier said than done. The implementation process can face a lot of challenges due to all the stakeholders involved and the complex nature of student diversities. Implementation of tier 1 interventions can be accomplished fairly easily, but as you move through the pyramid, the implementation gets tricky. Some of the challenges that the implementation of MTSS can face are as follows: 

• Implementation Consistency

• Resource Allocation

• Equity and Inclusivity

• Data Collection and Analysis

• Sustainability

Despite the challenges, MTSS proves to be an effective framework. With MTSS, the students with diverse needs are in safer hands when it comes to learning beyond the curriculum. The advancements and research towards special needs education show that these challenges will be overshadowed by the success.

Success Story: P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School

The implementation of MTSS is not a myth and P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School has been using the framework to improve the quality of education for each student since 2006. The school has a monitoring system which provides insights on the both behavioral and academic needs of the students. These insights are analyzed by the teachers and the support staff to make action plans. 

Each student receives the core instructions at tier 1. Some students receive the supplemental instructions at tier 2. A small number of students receive the most intensive intervention and support at tier 3. For Tier One, the student-teacher ratio is approximately 22-to-1; for Tier Two, approximately 6-to-1; and for Tier Three, between approximately 3-to-1, and occasionally 1-to-1.

The core teachers at P.K Yonge have a daily planning time where they collaborate with each other and discuss strategies and action plans. One thing that P.K. Yonge School struggles with making the support system seamless enough so that no student feels stigmatized. Linda Hayes (School Director) states that it’s their goal to make the support and interventions as seamless and normal as possible but they don’t always accomplish it. 

Conclusion

Conclusively, the vision is clear: an educational system where every student, regardless of their challenges, finds the support and resources needed to thrive. Through a continued commitment to research, professional development, and a collective dedication to the well-being and success of each student, the MTSS framework stands as a beacon, guiding us towards an inclusive and empowering future of education. In the tapestry of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 interventions, we find the threads that weave together a rich and dynamic educational experience for all.