Chapter 24 
Multi-Tiered System of Supports 
(MTSS) and Response to Intervention 
(RTI)
MTSS and RTI 
• Limitations of standardized tests necessitate 
alternative approaches to assessment 
• MTSS 
– “a coherent continuum of evidence-based, system-wide 
practices to support a rapid response to academic and 
behavior needs with frequent data-based monitoring for 
instructional decision making to empower each student to 
high standards” (Kansas Department of Education) 
• RTI 
– Response to instruction and response to intervention 
• Both equally important concepts in the RTI model 
– Somewhat fluid definition and application in schools
MTSS and RTI 
• General steps in the process 
1. Students are provided with “generally effective” 
instruction by their classroom teachers 
2. Their progress in monitored 
3. Those who do not respond get something else (or 
more). Whatever is chosen should be evidence-based 
4. Progress is monitored 
5. Decisions about resource allocation and entitlement 
are made 
6. Steps 1-4 are repeated until the student receives 
instruction that allows him or her to reach a desired 
level of performance
Assumptions in Assessing RTI 
1. Effective instruction 
occurs 
2. Instruction occurs as 
intended 
3. The measurement system 
is adequate to detect 
changes in student 
learning 
a. Reflects the curriculum 
b. Can be used frequently 
c. Sensitive to small changes in 
student performance 
d. Assesses pupil performance 
(not just what the teacher 
does or does not do) 
4. There are links between 
the assessment data and 
modifications in 
instruction 
5. There are consequences 
(both positive and 
negative) that sustain 
improved student 
outcomes and continued 
implementation of the 
measurement system 
6. Assessment of RTI is not 
setting specific
Dimensions of Assessment in MTSS 
and RTI models 
• Specificity 
– Compare “Bill is doing 
fine in reading” to “Bill 
has mastered short 
vowel sounds” 
– Which will most inform 
instruction? 
• Frequency 
– How often is the 
assessment given?
Important Considerations in MTSS and RTI 
• Intervention Integrity 
– Tiered-systems of support are hinged on the integrity with 
which instruction and interventions are provided to students 
– Promoting integrity 
• Specific intervention instructions and effective training 
• Assess the extent to which the intervention plan is being implemented 
• Intervention efficacy 
– Evidence that the intervention has improved outcomes for 
students of a similar age and grade 
– What Works Clearinghouse 
• Response stability 
– How consistent is the recorded response 
• Educators should not rely on 1 or 2 observations for inference
Important Considerations in MTSS and 
RTI 
• Criteria used to determine students’ response 
– Adequate level and rate of progress should be determined before 
interventions are put into place 
• Frequency of progress monitoring 
– Continuous versus periodic progress monitoring 
• Can’t do it versus won’t do it 
– Interventions for skill deficits will differ from interventions for 
performance deficits 
– Should determine “can’t do” or “won’t do” early in the assessment 
process 
• What would RTI look like if it were implemented well? 
– Evidence-based instruction 
– Progress monitoring 
• Recall that effective progress monitoring includes modifying instruction! 
– Continuous problem-solving among teachers 
– High rate of communication with parents

Ch24

  • 1.
    Chapter 24 Multi-TieredSystem of Supports (MTSS) and Response to Intervention (RTI)
  • 2.
    MTSS and RTI • Limitations of standardized tests necessitate alternative approaches to assessment • MTSS – “a coherent continuum of evidence-based, system-wide practices to support a rapid response to academic and behavior needs with frequent data-based monitoring for instructional decision making to empower each student to high standards” (Kansas Department of Education) • RTI – Response to instruction and response to intervention • Both equally important concepts in the RTI model – Somewhat fluid definition and application in schools
  • 3.
    MTSS and RTI • General steps in the process 1. Students are provided with “generally effective” instruction by their classroom teachers 2. Their progress in monitored 3. Those who do not respond get something else (or more). Whatever is chosen should be evidence-based 4. Progress is monitored 5. Decisions about resource allocation and entitlement are made 6. Steps 1-4 are repeated until the student receives instruction that allows him or her to reach a desired level of performance
  • 4.
    Assumptions in AssessingRTI 1. Effective instruction occurs 2. Instruction occurs as intended 3. The measurement system is adequate to detect changes in student learning a. Reflects the curriculum b. Can be used frequently c. Sensitive to small changes in student performance d. Assesses pupil performance (not just what the teacher does or does not do) 4. There are links between the assessment data and modifications in instruction 5. There are consequences (both positive and negative) that sustain improved student outcomes and continued implementation of the measurement system 6. Assessment of RTI is not setting specific
  • 5.
    Dimensions of Assessmentin MTSS and RTI models • Specificity – Compare “Bill is doing fine in reading” to “Bill has mastered short vowel sounds” – Which will most inform instruction? • Frequency – How often is the assessment given?
  • 6.
    Important Considerations inMTSS and RTI • Intervention Integrity – Tiered-systems of support are hinged on the integrity with which instruction and interventions are provided to students – Promoting integrity • Specific intervention instructions and effective training • Assess the extent to which the intervention plan is being implemented • Intervention efficacy – Evidence that the intervention has improved outcomes for students of a similar age and grade – What Works Clearinghouse • Response stability – How consistent is the recorded response • Educators should not rely on 1 or 2 observations for inference
  • 7.
    Important Considerations inMTSS and RTI • Criteria used to determine students’ response – Adequate level and rate of progress should be determined before interventions are put into place • Frequency of progress monitoring – Continuous versus periodic progress monitoring • Can’t do it versus won’t do it – Interventions for skill deficits will differ from interventions for performance deficits – Should determine “can’t do” or “won’t do” early in the assessment process • What would RTI look like if it were implemented well? – Evidence-based instruction – Progress monitoring • Recall that effective progress monitoring includes modifying instruction! – Continuous problem-solving among teachers – High rate of communication with parents