Supporting every Bighorn—academically, behaviorally, and socially-emotionally.
At Beattie Elementary School, we use a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to make sure every student gets what they need to grow. MTSS is how we organize our instruction, interventions, and student supports so they are timely, targeted, and effective.
Our Why
We believe students thrive when adults are consistent and coordinated.
Our Theory of Action:
If our school community is consistent in systems, then teachers provide explicit teaching, so that students take ownership of their learning and are regulated.
What is MTSS?
MTSS is a schoolwide framework that helps us:
- Teach strong instruction for all students
- Identify needs early using data and teacher observations
- Provide increasing levels of support when students need it
- Monitor progress and adjust supports based on evidence
- Work as a team with families to help students succeed
MTSS includes three connected areas:
- Academics (reading, writing, math, etc.)
- Behavior (expectations, routines, skill-building, problem-solving)
- Social-Emotional Supports (regulation, relationships, coping skills)
The 3 Tiers of Support
MTSS is organized into three “tiers.” Students may move in and out of tiers depending on their needs.
Tier 1: Core Support for All Students
This is the support every student receives every day.
What it looks like at Beattie:
- Strong, grade-level instruction aligned to standards
- Classroom routines and explicit teaching of expectations
- Schoolwide behavior expectations using RAMS:
- Respect
- Act Responsibly
- Motivated to Learn
- Safety
- Universal screening and classroom assessments to check growth
- Prevention-focused supports (teaching skills before problems grow)
Tier 2: Targeted Support for Some Students
This is extra support for students who need more practice, structure, or instruction in a specific area.
Examples:
- Small-group reading intervention (targeting a specific skill like decoding or fluency)
- Small-group math support (foundational skills or problem-solving)
- Check-In/Check-Out or targeted behavior skill groups
- Short-term counseling or regulation supports
- Increased progress monitoring (so we know if the support is working)
Tier 3: Intensive Support for a Few Students
This is individualized, high-support programming when students need more intensive and frequent intervention.
Examples:
- Individualized reading or math intervention plans
- Functional behavior assessments and behavior support plans
- Wraparound support with specialists
- Problem-solving team meetings with family involvement
- Referral for additional evaluation when needed (including special education consideration, if appropriate)
How We Identify Needs Early
We don’t wait for students to “fall behind.” We use multiple measures to understand strengths and needs:
- Universal screeners (reading and math checks)
- Classroom assessments and daily work samples
- Teacher observations and student conferencing
- Behavior data (office referrals, patterns, setting triggers, etc.)
- Attendance data (because being here matters)
The goal is simple: catch it early, respond quickly, and keep supports aligned.
Data-Based Decision Making (What That Means for Families)
When a student receives additional support, we:
- Name the need clearly (skill or behavior)
- Set a goal (what success looks like)
- Choose a support that matches the need
- Track progress regularly
- Adjust if the plan isn’t working
This helps ensure we’re not guessing—we’re responding to real evidence, and we can show growth over time.
Collective Teacher Efficacy: Our Superpower
MTSS works best when adults believe: “Together, we can make a difference for every student.”
At Beattie, we build collective teacher efficacy by:
- Planning and problem-solving in teams
- Using shared systems, language, and routines across classrooms
- Looking at data together (not in isolation)
- Sharing strategies that work—then scaling them
- Supporting each other through challenges with a “we’ve got this” mindset
This reduces “random acts of intervention” and builds a consistent experience for kids across settings.
Collaboration: Who Helps Provide Supports?
MTSS is a team effort. Supports may include collaboration with:
- Classroom teachers and interventionists
- Special education staff
- School counselors / social-emotional support staff
- English Language Development support
- School psychologist and related service providers
- Administration
- Families (always!)
What Families Can Expect
If your child needs Tier 2 or Tier 3 supports, you can expect:
- Clear communication about what we’re seeing and why
- A plan with specific goals and supports
- Updates on progress and next steps
- Partnership—because home and school together is powerful
If you ever have concerns, we want to hear them early.
How to Ask for Help
If you think your child needs additional academic or behavior support:
- Start with your child’s classroom teacher
- Ask what data the team is seeing and what supports are already in place
- If needed, we can connect you with our MTSS problem-solving team
We’re on the same team: helping your child grow, feel successful, and belong.
Bighorns Climb Higher Together 🐏💙
MTSS is how we ensure every student at Beattie receives the right support at the right time—so learning is accessible, expectations are clear, and students build the skills to thrive.