MTSS or Multi-Tiered System of Supports is an educational framework that aims to help schools provide the right assistance to each student specified to their needs. But despite the good intentions, some schools report that MTSS doesn’t seem to work for them. As a School Psychologist, I understand how MTSS can be a crucial aspect of helping students and teachers in our school community, so I’d like to share some possible reasons why it might not be working at your school in this blog post.
Inadequate Training and Professional Development
One of the primary reasons why MTSS may not be working could be a lack of sufficient training. Before launching MTSS in the school, teachers and administrators need to understand the framework’s concept, principles, and critical components properly. Teachers and school staff should be proficient in administering assessments and utilizing data to create robust intervention plans that address the needs of all students. Regular professional development training, workshops, and seminars can support the staff in creating a systematic approach to MTSS, allowing them to engage and support students more effectively
Improper Data Collection and Analysis
Another reason why MTSS may fail in schools is utilizing weak or even erroneous data to make decisions on student support needs. An insufficient analysis of student performance and behavior data and intervention implementation records can lead to ambiguities and inaccurate conclusions about students and their needs. Schools should customize and monitor data representing overall student performance while tracking individual achievement against set benchmarks to assess effectiveness. Identifying gaps between the student’s status quo and planned outcomes will enable educators to adjust their strategies accordingly.
before deploying the intervention plan, teachers need to consider the student’s learning and behavioral style
Ineffective Intervention Strategies
The goal of MTSS is to provide customized intervention plans that meet the individual needs of every student. Unfortunately, providing a cookie-cutter intervention approach to the diverse learning and behavioral needs of students will not be effective. Each student is different and requires a unique approach to their educational needs. So, before deploying the intervention plan, teachers need to consider the student’s learning and behavioral style, interests, social-emotional needs, and academic goals. By understanding these factors, a personalized intervention plan can then be created, which likely leads to student success.
Limited Family and Community Involvement
Collaboration with families and the community is another critical component in supporting your students’ educational development. In many cases, MTSS is designed solely by school professionals, so it may lead to incomplete assessments and interventions. This issue can be prevented through parental involvement in the data collection and evaluation process. Teachers should encourage families to share their perspective on their child’s education and provide information on their background, preferences, and culture, which can also have an impact on students’ academic performance.
schools must regularly monitor the effectiveness of MTSS interventions to ensure student progress.
Failure to Monitor MTSS Effectiveness
Finally, schools must regularly monitor the effectiveness of MTSS interventions to ensure student progress. At specific intervals, educators need to analyze the collected data to evaluate what aspects of the implementation need to be adjusted. They should take a close look at the assessment results, the efficacy of the intervention, the response time to intervention, and the amount of growth individuals exhibit after the intervention. Through monitoring the effectiveness of MTSS, schools can successfully increase student learning outcomes.
In conclusion, MTSS can be challenging, but it is a crucial framework for student success when handled correctly. Schools should train teachers well in administrating the system, collect and analyze data effectively, and implement the appropriate intervention strategies to meet the diverse student needs. Schools should also ensure that they keep family and community in the loop and monitor MTSS effectiveness regularly. By considering these factors, school staff can offer customized education, supporting students by addressing their challenges and increasing their learning outcomes.
