Tiers of Differentiated Support

Multitiered systems of support is a flexible framework for integrating systems of differentiated supports to meet the needs of students

Multitiered systems of support, or MTSS, is a flexible framework for integrating systems of differentiated supports to meet the needs of students in general and in special education.

MTSS enables schools to use resources more efficiently while simultaneously improving school and student outcomes.

Effective implementation requires (a) coordinated leadership at district and site levels; (b) job-embedded professional development; (c) coordinated assignment of school counselors, school psychologists and school social workers; and (d) collaboration with community providers to support students with the most significant needs.

Tier 1 services are part of a schoolwide effort to promote mental and behavioral wellness and prevent mental and behavioral health problems for all students. Periodic universal screening for academic, behavioral and emotional barriers to learning helps ensure the implementation is grounded in data.

Tier 1 services include:

• schoolwide efforts to support prosocial behavior and improve school climate;
• effective discipline policies and practices, especially to ensure culturally responsive practices and avoid disproportionate application to specific populations;
• bullying/violence prevention policies and practices; and
• staff development related to identification of mental health concerns and referral processes.

Tier 2 focuses on services to address emerging mental and behavioral health problems for students at risk of more significant problems.

Tier 2 services include:

• individual/group counseling to address specific issues (e.g. social skills, anxiety);
• individual student behavior plans;
• mentoring programs; and
• suicide risk/threat assessment.

Tier 3 focuses on intensive services to address identified mental and behavioral health problems.

Tier 3 services include:

• cognitive-behavioral therapy;
• psychological assessment of mental and behavioral health concerns; and
• collaboration and coordination of services between school providers and community agencies/providers.

In the Boston Public Schools, the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Model (www.cbhmboston.com) is a collaborative effort among the district, higher education, community behavioral health and hospital partners to support student mental health. Boston’s program focuses on wellness promotion for all students; uses universal screening to identify students in need of support; and prioritizes access to school psychologists to meet students’ needs.

Since implementing its program in 2012-13, Boston has seen better achievement, improved prosocial behavior, more effective alignment of services and greater use of less-costly and effective Tier 1 and Tier 2 services. Both student suspensions and use of costly Tier 3 services have dropped.