Multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) is a prominent framework in the educational community, but what exactly does multi-tiered system of supports mean? Educators often hear MTSS mentioned in conversations about intervention and student success. When schools implement MTSS into school, it fosters a proactive, data-driven approach that enables educators to anticipate challenges and respond effectively to the needs of all learners.
MTSS definition
MTSS is an approach to school improvement that provides a framework for delivering targeted support to students. A strong MTSS model incorporates high quality intervention solutions that provide targeted and intensive support aligned to student needs, particularly for learners who require acceleration or foundational skill development. As the Massachusetts Department of Education explains, “MTSS support[s] schools by proactively identifying and addressing the strengths and needs of all students by optimizing data-driven decision-making, progress monitoring, and the use of evidence-based supports and strategies with increasing intensity to sustain student growth.”
MTSS usually consists of three tiers, including structured evidence-based intervention for Tier 2 and Tier 3:
- Tier 1: Core Instruction: Supports all students through research-based instruction, strong engagement routines, and differentiated scaffolds that help learners access grade-level content in a positive, high-expectations environment.
- Tier 2: Supplemental Support (Core + More): Provides targeted, data-driven support to address specific skill gaps through scaffolded materials, aligned extra practice, and adaptive opportunities that accelerate growth.
- Tier 3: Intensive Support (Core + Something Foundational or Specialized): Delivers explicit, evidence-based instruction with increased intensity and frequency, using specialized approaches and precise data to support rapid, foundational growth.
Why is MTSS important?
Research shows that the MTSS framework is a proven method for improving student academic performance. It allows for individualized support plans that are based on individual needs, while also enhancing student problem-solving skills. High quality intervention programs help schools deliver the targeted and intensive supports required at Tiers 2 and 3, ensuring students receive the right instruction at the right time.
Key components of MTSS in education include:
- Intervention solutions provide the structured, research-based instructional pathways needed to support students as they move between tiers.
- Strong intervention programs offer real-time reporting and data tools that help educators track growth, identify gaps, and make informed decisions.
- School-level leadership and coordination, including clear roles and responsibilities for all team members.
- Intervention programs serve as Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports that can be layered onto core instruction to accelerate learning and close gaps.
Benefits of using MTSS with students
If you’re looking to integrate MTSS into your school or improve your existing implementation, read on to learn about 10 benefits of MTSS.
1. MTSS focuses on prevention
High quality intervention prevents long-term academic difficulty by identifying gaps early and providing structured, targeted support. It provides a range of supports at each tier of intervention. Additionally, Tier 1 core interventions are preventative and universal, meaning they are provided to all students to stop problems before they start. These interventions might include improvements to classroom curriculum, instruction, and positive behavior expectations.
If a student continues to need additional help despite these Tier 1 interventions, then they will receive additional support at Tier 2. And if more assistance is needed, students will then go to Tier 3, offering the highest level of individualized support.
2. MTSS integrates data-driven decision-making
Documentation and data gathering are important components of MTSS. Intervention programs that include built-in progress monitoring, screening tools, and growth reporting help educators adjust instruction quickly and ensure supports remain responsive to student needs. This documentation helps educators make data-driven decisions about the most effective interventions for their students. By continuously monitoring data and student progress, educators can adjust strategies to ensure every student receives the right level of support.
3. MTSS encourages more individualized instruction
Intervention solutions offer small-group lessons, personalized learning paths, and instructional routines that enable educators to tailor support to each student. This can help all students improve their academic performance.
The level of MTSS individualized instruction will vary depending on the needs of each student. However, examples of individualized support that might be provided through an MTSS framework include:
- Targeted interventions for small groups of students.
- One-on-one support for students who need additional help with a particular concept or skill.
- Close monitoring of student progress and regular data-driven decision-making to ensure that all students are making progress and receiving the support they need.
4. MTSS provides earlier identification and intervention for students with learning and behavioral difficulties
Intervention assessments and placement tools help determine exactly where students need support and guide them to the right instructional starting point. After identifying students who need more assistance, a robust MTSS implementation includes daily monitoring of student progress and performance. It would also include built-in supports and interventions that can be immediately implemented if a student begins to face challenges.
The earlier identification afforded by the multi-tiered system of supports can make a huge difference in a student’s academic life. By addressing needs proactively, you can create opportunities for growth and keep students on a path toward success. Additionally, daily monitoring provides teachers with real-time data that they can use to adjust instruction and better address the needs of their students.
5. MTSS improves student behavior
MTSS can improve student behavior. For starters, MTSS helps educators better identify and understand the specific needs of each student. This individualized approach allows educators to provide targeted interventions and accommodations that help each student succeed. When intervention helps students experience success, confidence increases and frustration decreases, often resulting in improved engagement and behavior.
Additionally, MTSS creates a consistent and predictable school environment that helps students feel more secure and supported. Finally, educators using MTSS often look to positive reinforcement and use strategies for constructively managing behavioral issues. Together, these factors can provide students with the structure and guidance to develop positive social skills.
6. MTSS is inclusive and encourages equity
Intervention ensures equitable access to research-based instruction for students who need additional support, including multilingual leaners and students with learning differences. MTSS ensures that all students have access to the same quality of instruction and support. The goal of MTSS is to provide all students with the support they need to be successful in school. That includes everything from early childhood intervention to extra help for striving students, or even above-grade-level student programs for those who excel academically.
7. MTSS increases student achievement
Evidence-based intervention accelerates learning for students performing below grade level and supports schools in meeting MTSS goals for growth and gap-closure. It does this through the following:
- Data-driven decision making: The data collected through MTSS helps educators make data-driven decisions about what interventions are most effective for their students.
- Increased focus on individual student needs: A multi-tiered system of supports allows for differentiated instruction and services for all students, with an emphasis on meeting the unique needs of each student. This ensures that all students have access to the necessary support to succeed.
- Early intervention and prevention: A multi-tiered system of supports provides early intervention and prevention services to students who may need additional help. This ensures that students receive the help they need before falling too far behind.
- Increased ability to respond quickly to changes in student performance: A multi-tiered system of supports allows for quick and targeted responses to changes.
8. MTSS takes a preventive, proactive approach in order to identify students who may need extra support
The multi-tiered system of supports is a proactive, coordinated, and data-driven system for ensuring that all students receive the educational programming and services they need to succeed. Intervention programs deliver timely support aligned to student needs, helping schools respond quickly when performance data indicates a need for additional instruction. An MTSS framework provides a structure for schools to systematically identify students who may benefit from special education services, provide interventions and supports at appropriate intensity levels, and continuously monitor student progress to make adjustments as needed.
9. MTSS provides a holistic approach to meeting students’ needs
MTSS takes advantage of the fact that all students have different strengths and weaknesses and provides support accordingly. This inclusive approach can benefit all students, not just those with special needs. Intervention that includes explicit instruction, structured routines, language supports, and embedded skill practice contributes to a whole-child approach to learning. In turn, all aspects of the child’s development are considered, including social and behavioral needs.
It starts with a universal screening of all students to identify those who may need additional help in any area. From there, targeted interventions are implemented to meet specific needs. Next, progress monitoring tracks student growth and adjusts interventions as needed. Finally, an evaluation is conducted to ensure that the MTSS system is effectively addressing the needs of the students and the school.
10. MTSS is an ongoing process
Because intervention includes continuous monitoring and adjustable instructional pathways, it fits naturally into MTSS as a long-term system for sustaining improvement. MTSS provides a continuum of services and supports that meet the needs of all students, from prevention to intervention to support. It provides a structure for schools to systematically identify students who may benefit from special education services, as well as provide interventions and supports at increasing intensity levels to prevent or remediate academic difficulties. It’s important to continuously monitor student progress so that adjustments can be made as needed.
The lasting impact of MTSS in schools
Multi-tiered system of supports is an approach that provides a variety of interventions and support strategies to meet students’ individual needs. Intervention plays a critical role in helping MTSS teams deliver the right level of support at the right time, making it a central component of effective schoolwide improvement. The idea behind this system is that all students can be successful with the right level of assistance.
This article was adapted from a blog post initially developed by the education technology company Classcraft, which was acquired by HMH in 2023. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.
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This blog, originally published in 2023, has been updated for 2026.
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