Learning
Multi-tiered Systems of Supports
A Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) integrates the school’s approach to learning and wellbeing. MTSS includes a tiered continuum of instruction, support and intervention, and data-based decision making. MTSS enables identification of students requiring additional support. It includes instruction across three tiers of increasing intensity and tracking of student growth to monitor and improve program effectiveness.
Tier 1 (100% Universal): represents evidence-based practices for all students – designed to be proactive, preventative and response
Tier 2 (20% Targeted):provides targeted instruction, support and intervention for small groups of students who need extra help or extension
Tier 3 (5% Individualised):provides intensive instruction support and intervention for individual students with more complex needs. That being said, compared to their mainstream peers, all students at Jackson School receive Tier 3 Disability Inclusion funding as one support to meet their complex needs.
| Misconceptions we’ve heard… | Answer |
| MTSS is a program | False: MTSS is not a program. MTSS is a way of work that results in continuous improvement of student learning. Within an effective MTSS framework, evidence-based programs are used to provide instruction/interventions and supports for students. |
| MTSS has a starting point and a stopping point | False: MTSS is a framework or approach that optimises how resources are organised and allocated for improved student outcomes. It’s comprised of 6domains. Because of this it doesn’t have a starting or stopping point, it’s simply a way of work. |
| MTSS and SWPBS are the same thing | False: MTSS is the overarching, comprehensive framework that guides service delivery in a school, area or region. SWPBS shares many of the big ideas of MTSS. Using MTSS teams are encouraged to think holistically about student need. |
| The tiers describe students (e.g. Tier 2 students, Tier 3 students) | False: As part of MTSS instruction and interventions are labelled Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 to communicate the level of intensity of supports; students are not labelled with tiers. |
Tier 1 Playbook
The information in this booklet has been written to support staff in establishing consistent and predictable whole class environments and routines that support students to engage and participate actively in learning. The strategies shared are designed to be used proactively, as a way to mitigate dysregulation and disengagement.
The strategies shared here align to the VTLM 2.0 as they support students attention, focus and regulation in order to enable learning.
Some students require different levels of adjustments to be able to access the education program provided to same-age peers. The levels of adjustment (supplementary, substantive and extensive) refer to the varying levels of support required to enable a student’s participation in learning and the frequency in which these adjustments occur.
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