DoDEA 21st Century Schools · Professional Learning

MTSS & SST

Multi-Tiered System of Supports and Student Support Teams — a practical guide for your elementary school staff.

Foundation
What Is MTSS?

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a school-wide framework for delivering high-quality instruction and interventions matched to student need. It uses data to identify students early, provide layered support, and monitor progress over time. MTSS is proactive — it does not wait for students to fail before providing help.

Think of it this way: MTSS is like a health system. Everyone gets preventive care (Tier 1). Some people need follow-up appointments (Tier 2). A few need specialist referrals (Tier 3). The goal is to catch problems early and match the intensity of support to the level of need.
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Data-Driven

All decisions about student support are based on data — screening results, progress monitoring, and teacher observation.

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Evidence-Based

Interventions at every tier must be grounded in research. Tradition alone is not a sufficient reason for a practice.

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Early Identification

Universal screening 2–3 times per year catches students who need support before they fall significantly behind.

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Family Partnership

Families are partners at every tier — informed, consulted, and involved in planning supports for their child.

MTSS in your DoDEA building: Your co-teaching structures and flexible learning spaces make Tier 1 more powerful. When two teachers are in the room, differentiation is more responsive and Tier 2 support can happen within class time — without removing students from their peers.
What MTSS Is NOT
Common Misconceptions
✗ A special education pipeline or pre-referral requirement
✗ Only for students who are struggling academically
✗ An add-on to the school day
✗ Something the resource room teacher runs alone
✗ Only relevant for reading and math
What It Actually Is
✓ A whole-school framework — general ed first
✓ For all students, including those needing enrichment
✓ Embedded into daily instructional practice
✓ A shared responsibility across every teacher and specialist
✓ Applicable to academics, behavior, and social-emotional needs
Structure
The Three Tiers

Every student receives Tier 1. Tiers 2 and 3 are layered on top of — never instead of — Tier 1. Click each tier to explore it in detail.

Common misunderstanding to address with staff: Moving to Tier 2 or 3 does not mean a student leaves Tier 1. They always keep receiving high-quality core instruction. The higher tiers simply add more targeted support on top.
The MTSS Data Cycle
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Screen

All students, 2–3x per year. Identifies who may need additional support.

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Diagnose

For students flagged in screening — identify the specific skill gap to target.

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Intervene

Deliver evidence-based supports at the right tier, with fidelity.

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Monitor

Track progress regularly. Use data to decide whether to continue, adjust, or intensify.

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Adjust

Based on data, move students up or down tiers. The cycle is ongoing, not a one-time event.

Student Support Team
The SST Process

The Student Support Team (SST) is a collaborative problem-solving process that brings together teachers, specialists, administrators, and families to develop a coordinated plan for a student whose needs are not being fully met through Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports alone.

Critical distinction: The SST is NOT a special education referral. It is a structured general education conversation that documents what has been tried, what the data shows, and what the team will do next — with clear owners and timelines. Most students who go through SST do not require special education services.
Who Is at the SST Table?
SST vs. Special Education: Key Distinctions
Student Support Team (SST)
✓ General education process
✓ No formal eligibility required
✓ Team-developed action plan
✓ Can be initiated at any point
✓ Shorter timeline — days, not months
Special Education Referral
◦ Special education eligibility process
◦ Requires evaluation and eligibility meeting
◦ Legally binding IEP with goals and services
◦ Requires written referral and parental consent
◦ Longer timeline governed by IDEA timelines
Integration
MTSS, SST, and Co-Teaching

These three systems are not separate initiatives — they are a connected ecosystem. Your DoDEA 21st century building is designed to make all three work together more powerfully than in a traditional school.

The big picture: MTSS is the framework. SST is the problem-solving process within it. Co-teaching is one of the most powerful delivery vehicles for Tier 1 — and creates the conditions for Tier 2 support to happen without removing students from their peers and their learning community.
Co-Teaching Models as MTSS Delivery Tools
What Each Role Looks Like Across All Three Systems
Role In MTSS In SST In Co-Teaching
Language tip for staff meetings: Avoid presenting MTSS, SST, and co-teaching as three separate things to implement. Frame it as: "We have one goal — every student thrives. These are our tools for making that happen together."
Apply It
Scenario Practice

Read each scenario and select the best response. These are designed for use in PD sessions — work through them as a team.

Common Questions
Staff FAQs

These are the questions that come up most often when introducing MTSS and SST to elementary school staff. Click any question to expand the answer.

When talking to families: Use plain language. Avoid acronyms entirely. Lead with the student's strengths. Frame supports as the school working harder for the child — not as a sign something is wrong with them. "We noticed Marcus is really strong in math reasoning, and we want to give him extra support to match that in reading" lands very differently than "Marcus is at Tier 2."