Unit 1 Introduction & Objectives

Introduction

School districts have been using the Response-to-Intervention (RTI) process to provide students with academic support since 2004. In 2015, President Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) into law and the Multi-Tiered Support System (MTSS) began. While there are many similarities between RTI and MTSS, the MTSS framework provides students with support beyond just academics. In this unit, learners will gain a deeper understanding of the history of RTI and the shift towards MTSS, where prevention in addition to intervention is emphasized.

Objectives

Summarize the foundational elements of RTI and MTSS
Identify the three tiers of support
Differentiate between the RTI and MTSS models

Lesson 1: History and Foundations of RTI

Response to Intervention (RTI) has been used to provide academic support to all learners, including struggling learners. View the following resources to learn about the history of RTI and its essential components.

This video by the National Center for Learning Disabilities discusses how MTSS is the umbrella in which academics and behavior fall.

This I-MTSS Research Network article provides a visual timeline of progress toward Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (I-MTSS) including publication milestones, federal legislation milestones, and federal funding milestones.

Brief History of I-MTSS: Major Milestones Toward an Integrated Framework

In this Waterford.org article, an effective research-based framework for RTI is defined by the four essential components: universal screening, continuing progress monitoring, multi-level prevention system, and data-based decision making.

4 Essential Components of a Response to Intervention (RTI) Framework

Key Takeaways:

MTSS is the umbrella under which academics (RTI) and behavior (PBIS) fall.
MTSS responds to both instruction and intervention.
Tiered prevention frameworks in education date back to the 1990s. MTSS language first appeared in federal legislation in 1997. In 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act included language related to MTSS that sparked the transition from RTI to MTSS in 2019.
Essential Components of a Response to Intervention framework include universal screening, progress monitoring, multi-level prevention system, and data-based decision making.

Lesson 2: The Difference Between RTI and MTSS

A Multi-Tier Support System (MTSS) framework is used to support students with a variety of academic and behavior strategies. MTSS encompasses RTI with a broader, comprehensive approach. View the following resources to learn about the differences between RTI and MTSS.

This Illinois Center for School Improvement video video illustrates how MTSS integrates Response to Intervention (RTI) and Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS), promoting a comprehensive approach to intervention planning by combining academic and behavioral support within tiered systems in schools, thus shifting from individual academic or behavioral focus to a holistic framework considering both academics and behavior in data collection and intervention planning.

This Classcraft video video outlines how MTSS integrates RTI and PBIS, where RTI targets academics and PBIS focuses on behavior, aiming to provide comprehensive support for students across multiple domains by utilizing data from both initiatives to achieve school goals and improve student and teacher outcomes through tiered interventions.

This Illuminate Education video, the transition from an RTI framework to an MTSS framework is discussed. MTSS encompasses academic, behavioral, and social-emotional aspects to proactively provide intervention and instructional support for all students, emphasizing the importance of effective leadership, integrated systems, family engagement, and inclusive practices.

This Michigan's MTSS Technical Assistance Center article details the essential components to a Multi-Tiered System of Supports comprehensive framework.

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Overview

This Branching Minds guide comprehensively covers the definitions, essential elements, and best practices for implementing an effective MTSS framework, including instructions for gathering accurate data, making instructional changes based on data, and establishing effective MTSS teams and system-level practices.

What Is MTSS? The Multi-Tiered System of Supports Ultimate Guide

**MTSS vs. RTI** Source: Branching Minds

Key Takeaways:

MTSS is an integrated tiered support system that includes academics and behavior consideration in both data collection and intervention planning.
The goal of MTSS is to create a well-rounded student by proactively supporting students academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.
RTI focuses on academics
- Goal is to support students who struggle in school to get good grades
- Data is collected through testing and teacher feedback
- Pyramid Model
  - Tier 1 - Core instruction: 80% of students
  - Tier 2 - Targeted intervention, frequent feedback and progress monitoring - 15% of students
  - Tier 3 - Intensive 1:1 intervention with close monitoring of progress - 5% of students
PBIS
- Goal is to improve student behavior
- Data is collected through office referrals and reward systems
- Pyramid Model
  - Tier 1 - School-wide approach
  - Tier 2 - Specialized group interventions
  - Tier 3 - Supports for students most at-risk
Essential Components to a Multi-Tiered System of Supports comprehensive framework include team-based leadership, tiered delivery system, selection and implementation of instruction, intervention and supports, comprehensive screening and assessment system, and continuous data-based decision making.
RTI primarily concentrates on delivering assistance to students requiring support, whereas MTSS prioritizes high-quality differentiated core instruction and emphasizes prevention alongside intervention.

Self-Assessment & Discussion

Self-Assessment

Check your understanding by answering the following questions:

What is the purpose of Response to Intervention?
Name and describe the 4 essential elements in RTI.
Name and describe the three tiers of RTI/MTSS.
Name and describe the 6 essential elements of MTSS.
How is MTSS a broader, more comprehensive approach than RTI?

Discussion

Reflect on what you learned about RTI and MTSS in Unit 1. Use the Discussion tab (at the top of this page, above the navigation links) to share your reflection in a discussion post.