Multi-Tiered System of Supports
Pennsylvania’s Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a standards-aligned, comprehensive school improvement FRAMEWORK for enhancing academic, behavioral and social-emotional outcomes for ALL students. Response to Intervention (RTI) refers to the methodology that is used to determine how slow is slow (rate of growth) and how low is low (student’s level of performance), as an alternative to ability-achievement discrepancy within the Specific Learning Disability (SLD) Determination process.
Cross-disciplinary teams represented at the district, school, grade and individual levels use a problem-solving process to integrate evidence-based academic, behavioral and social-emotional practices matched to student needs and with fidelity of implementation. A continuum of supports and services exists at all Tiers and is undergirded by high-quality professional learning, cultural responsivity, partnership and meaningful involvement with families, and dynamic decision-making that rests on the use of reliable and valid data sources. Sustainability (transformational change) is the ultimate implementation goal of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and is very much contingent upon Leadership, Organization and Competency.
Taken from PaTTAN
Elementary
Our elementary schools use aimswebPlus as a universal screener three times a year to benchmark students. This benchmarking process allows for the school-level team to understand each student's skills in reading and mathematics. Based on the information, students receive targeted instruction in any skill deficit areas or enrichment. The elementary schedule allows for two different times during the day for this differentiation. Each student receives small-group reading instruction and guided math workshop. Each building has at least one reading specialist and math teacher to work with students who have need. During these two times, students may work with their classroom teacher, another teacher in their grade level, and/or one of our content specialists. The focus is to ensure that all students are growing academically.
Middle School
Abington Heights Middle School uses i-Ready as a universal screener for all students in grades 5 - 8 three times of a year to benchmark students. This benchmarking process allows for the school-level team to understand each student's skills in reading and mathematics. Based on the information, students receive targeted instruction in any skill deficit areas or enrichment. The middle school students have a differentiated period: Comet Express. Students receive instruction from their classroom teachers, another grade-level teacher, a reading specialist, or a math teacher. The focus is to ensure that all students are growing academically.