From RTI to MTSS: How Special Education and Multilingual Learners Fit Into the Framework
- INcompassing Education
- 28 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Many schools are shifting from Response to Intervention (RTI) to a broader Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). This transition provides schools with the opportunity to strengthen instruction for all learners, including students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and multilingual learners.
Understanding how these groups fit into MTSS is critical for ensuring equity, compliance, and student growth. When schools embed special education and language supports into MTSS, they move away from siloed services and toward a cohesive, whole-child approach.
RTI vs. MTSS: What’s the Difference?
Traditionally, RTI (Response to Intervention) focused primarily on academic interventions. While effective in some contexts, RTI often left out critical aspects of student development.
MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) expands the framework to include:
Academic supports.
Behavioral interventions.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) supports.
This whole-child approach allows schools to build systems where every student has access to tiered levels of support based on their needs, not just their test scores.
By moving to MTSS, schools create structures that:
Prevent problems before they escalate.
Provide consistent interventions across grade levels.
Ensure students receive both academic and non-academic support for long-term success.
Where Special Education Fits in MTSS
Special Education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Indiana’s Article 7 must be integrated into MTSS, not treated as a separate track. Integration ensures that:
Students with disabilities participate fully in Tier 1 core instruction alongside peers.
IEP goals align with Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions to provide continuity.
Progress monitoring is consistent across all tiers, helping educators make data-driven decisions.
By weaving special education supports into MTSS, schools avoid isolating students with disabilities. Instead, they create classrooms where inclusive practices benefit everyone.
Where Multilingual Learners Fit in MTSS
Schools are increasingly serving English learners (ELs) and multilingual students. These students often require targeted supports that go beyond traditional instruction. Within MTSS, schools can provide:
Tier 1 instruction that incorporates language development standards into all subjects. This is great for all students.
Tier 2 interventions focused on vocabulary, reading comprehension, and oral language development.
Tier 3 individualized supports that combine academic and language development needs.
Embedding Title III requirements into MTSS not only ensures compliance but also creates equitable access to grade-level content. This integration helps multilingual learners build both language proficiency and academic achievement.
The Power of Integration
When Special Education and multilingual learner supports are embedded into MTSS, schools see stronger outcomes across the board. Benefits include:
Consistency between general education, special education, and EL services.
Fewer gaps in progress monitoring and intervention.
A stronger focus on equity for students who might otherwise be overlooked.
An integrated MTSS framework ensures that schools meet compliance requirements while also providing practical, student-centered supports.
How INcompassing Education Helps
At INcompassing Education, we partner with Indiana schools to design MTSS frameworks that include both special education and multilingual learner supports. Our professional development aligns compliance requirements with hands-on strategies teachers can use immediately in their classrooms.
Our customized training helps schools:
Build MTSS frameworks that address academics, behavior, and SEL.
Align IEP goals and progress monitoring with MTSS practices.
Integrate Title III requirements and multilingual learner supports.
Provide teachers with practical tools for meeting diverse student needs.
Related Services for Schools
If your school is navigating the shift from RTI to MTSS, explore how our services can support your team:
MTSS Support — Build tiered systems that serve the whole child.
Special Education — Align IEP goals with MTSS to ensure compliance and inclusion.
Multilingual Learners — Integrate language development strategies into every tier of support.
By connecting these services, your school can create a cohesive plan that supports equity and achievement for all students.
Ready to Strengthen Your MTSS Framework?
Contact INcompassing Education today to learn how our customized professional development can help your school integrate Special Education and multilingual learner supports into a single, cohesive MTSS framework. Together, we can ensure that every Indiana student has the support they need to succeed.
