MTSS is a multi-step process of providing instruction and support to promote all children's academic, behavioral, and social/emotional success. Individual children's progress is monitored with data collection, and results are used to make decisions about further instruction and intervention. School-based MTSS Teams meet regularly to offer assistance to students, teachers, and parents regarding student success.

MTSS has three tiers of instruction and support, all aimed at giving teachers a streamlined way to provide the best instruction to all students.

• Tier I includes the instruction and support provided to all children.

• Tier II serves students needing more help. Extra instruction and support often are provided to these children in small groups.

• Tier III is for children who need intense support in order to succeed. Extra instruction and support are provided, often in even smaller groups or one-on-one.

MTSS provides guidelines to more quickly identify both challenges and solutions. Timely data including test scores, attendance, universal screener are all used to help problem solve and identify the levels of supports needed for students. 

Falls Church City Public Schools Multi-tiered System of Support model is aligned with the Virginia Tiered Systems of Support. The VTSS systemic approach allows divisions, schools, and communities to provide multiple levels of supports to students in a more effective and efficient, clearly defined process. Implementing the VTSS requires the use of evidence-based, system-wide practices with fidelity to provide a quick response to academic, behavioral, social and emotional needs. The practices are progress-monitored frequently to enable educators to make sound, data-based instructional decisions for students. Please visit the VTSS webpage for more information. (https://vtss-ric.org/)

VTSS functions under the anchor process of integrating data, practices and systems to affect outcomes. The essential elements of an effective VTSS framework are:

1. Aligned Organizational Structure
2. Data Informed Decision-Making
3. Evidence-Based Practices
4. Family, School and Community Partnerships 
5. Monitoring Student Progress 
6. Evaluation of Outcomes and Fidelity

Julie Macrina
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
macrinaj@fccps.org

William Bates
FCCPS Chief Academic Officer
wbates@fccps.org