Quick Answer: How Are MTSS Tiers Determined?
MTSS tiers are based on a combination of risk factors: missing assignments (5+ = high risk), attendance rate (below 90% = at-risk, below 80% = high-risk), and current grade (below 70% = at-risk, below 60% = high-risk). Students with multiple risk factors are escalated to Tier 2 or Tier 3.
1. Intervention risk calculator
Student Intervention Risk Calculator (MTSS)
Student 1
Student shows moderate risk factors. Targeted intervention within the classroom or small group is recommended.
- →Weekly check-in with student on missing work
- →Parent/guardian notification within 5 school days
- →Assign to a homework club or study hall
- →Create a missing-work recovery plan with student
- →Monitor bi-weekly; escalate if no improvement in 3 weeks
Scale MTSS tracking to your whole school.
AssignClear automatically tracks Tier 2 and Tier 3 students' missing-work patterns and generates intervention-ready reports for SST meetings — no spreadsheets needed.
2. What is MTSS / RTI?
MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) is the federal framework used in US K-12 schools to identify and support students at academic, behavioural, or social-emotional risk. It replaced the older RTI (Response to Intervention) model and is required for compliance in most states.
Tier 1 — All students
High-quality universal instruction in the general education classroom. Approximately 80–85% of students should need only Tier 1 support.
Tier 2 — At-risk students
Targeted, small-group supplemental intervention for the 10–15% of students who do not respond adequately to Tier 1 alone.
Tier 3 — High-risk students
Intensive, individualised intervention for the 3–5% of students with the most significant needs. May involve special education evaluation.
3. Tier 1, 2, 3 criteria table
| Tier | Missing Assignments | Attendance Rate | Current Grade | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 0–2 | 90%+ | 70%+ | Universal — on track |
| Tier 2 | 3–4 | 80–89% | 60–69% | Targeted — needs monitoring |
| Tier 3 | 5+ | < 80% | < 60% | Intensive — immediate intervention |
Risk scoring: each factor scored 0–2. Total ≥4 = Tier 3, ≥2 = Tier 2, else Tier 1.
4. Intervention recommendations by tier
Tier 1 Interventions
- →Universal high-quality instruction
- →Quarterly progress monitoring
- →Completion encouragement for minor missing work
Tier 2 Interventions
- →Weekly student check-in
- →Parent notification within 5 days
- →Homework club / study hall referral
- →Missing-work recovery plan
- →Bi-weekly progress review
Tier 3 Interventions
- →SST meeting within 10 days
- →Formal parent conference
- →Counsellor check-in 3× per week
- →IEP / 504 referral if needed
- →Daily monitoring for 4 weeks
- →Attendance office coordination
5. Frequently Asked Questions
What is MTSS?
MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) is the K-12 framework for identifying and supporting students at risk using three tiers of increasing intervention intensity.
What factors determine a student's MTSS tier?
Common risk factors include missing assignment count, attendance rate (chronic absenteeism is below 90%), and current grade. Multiple risk factors escalate students to higher tiers.
What is the difference between MTSS and RTI?
RTI (Response to Intervention) is an older, academic-only model. MTSS is broader, covering academic, behavioural, and social-emotional supports. Most districts now use MTSS.
When should a student be escalated to Tier 3?
When a student shows multiple severe risk factors: 5+ missing assignments, attendance below 80%, and/or grade below 60%. Tier 3 requires an SST meeting and formal documentation.