MTSS / PBIS
Center on PBIS
Reference PBIS Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 guidance when clarifying how support intensifies.
Open PBIS Tier 1System Purpose
Build the system before concerns become crisis.
This framework helps districts organize the people, routines, tools, supports, and follow-up needed to respond to student disconnection in a coordinated way.
Goal
The Coordinated Student Support System Framework helps districts build and launch an aligned MTSS-based student support system so schools can identify concerns early, respond before crisis, match students to appropriate supports, and follow up until the concern improves or more intensive support is required.
The issue is not that schools lack caring adults. The issue is that caring adults often work without a clear system.
The Eight-Part System
What leaders build before concerns become crisis.
The sequence below keeps the work concrete. It shows the system leaders are building, not just a list of forms to complete.
1
District Planning
Define the MTSS model, Tier 1 interventions, Tier 2 supports, Tier 3 partnerships, roles, and internal tracking expectations.
2
Building Preparation
Establish the Student Support Team, staff concern process, meeting routine, training plan, and local implementation procedures.
3
Tier 1 Prevention
Use SEL, predictable routines, engagement, adult connection, restorative repair, and calm correction to prevent avoidable escalation.
4
Concern Submission
Give staff a simple way to report observable student concerns early, before concerns become crisis-level problems.
5
Team Review
Use the Student Support Team to review concerns, assign first responses, identify an Intervention Lead, and set follow-up dates.
6
Tier 2 Support
Match students to structured, targeted supports when the first response is not enough or patterns continue.
7
Tier 3 Planning
Coordinate intensive support, specialized staff, outside partners, family communication, and re-entry planning when needed.
8
Follow-Up
Review progress, adjust support, intensify when necessary, and request district assistance when barriers remain.
MTSS Support Ladder
Support becomes more targeted and intensive.
One connected support system
Tier 1 prevention, Tier 2 targeted support, and Tier 3 intensive planning should not operate as separate initiatives. The strength of the system is the movement between levels when student need changes.
Tier 3: Intensive Support
Individualized support for persistent, complex, high-risk, or partner-supported needs.
Tier 2: Targeted Support
Structured supports for students who need more than the universal first response.
Tier 1: Universal Foundation
Classroom prevention, SEL, adult connection, early concern reporting, team review, first response, and follow-up for all students.
Tool Set at a Glance
Each tool belongs to a specific part of the system.
MTSS Implementation Framework
Defines the three-tier structure and responsibilities.
Tier 1 Classroom Prevention Guide
Clarifies daily classroom prevention practices.
Staff Student Concern Form
Allows staff to report observable concerns early.
What Happens After You Submit a Concern?
Explains the concern process to staff.
Student Support Intervention Menu
Helps teams select a first response.
Student Support Team Review Form
Captures the team decision and follow-up.
Student Support Team Meeting Form
Keeps meetings focused on decisions.
Tier 2 Targeted Support Tool
Structures targeted support and progress review.
Tier 3 Planning Tool
Clarifies intensive support and partner planning.
Published Resource Anchors
Use established guidance to strengthen local implementation.
These resources give district and building teams credible starting points for MTSS, PBIS, SEL, classroom prevention, and school mental health planning. They should support local decisions, not replace district policies or approved procedures.
SEL Foundation
CASEL Fundamentals of SEL
Use CASEL to support classroom prevention, connection, self-management, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Open CASELClassroom Practice
What Works Clearinghouse
Use the practice guide to inform classroom strategies that reduce behavior problems and strengthen daily prevention.
Open Practice GuideMental Health
School Mental Health Quality Guides
Use these guides when planning school mental health systems, specialized support, and partner coordination.
Open Quality GuidesThe resource anchors are intentionally limited. The framework should remain practical, while still giving teams strong reference points for deeper planning.