Understanding RTI and MTSS: A Guide for Special Education and English Language Learners
- Jennifer Allain
- Mar 15
- 4 min read
If you’ve been in education long enough, you’ve probably heard the terms RTI (Response to Intervention) and MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) tossed around in professional development sessions, meetings, or by your favorite overenthusiastic curriculum coordinator. But what do they actually mean, and more importantly, how do we use them effectively for our special education students and English language learners (ELLs)? Let’s break it down into something practical, useful, and—dare I say—actionable!
RTI vs. MTSS: What’s the Difference?
Let’s clear this up first: RTI is a framework designed to identify and support students with academic difficulties early on, while MTSS is a broader umbrella (sorry Erica... you know I love my "umbrella" terms!) that includes RTI but also considers behavioral and social-emotional needs. MTSS is like RTI’s more well-rounded cousin who remembers to bring snacks to the meeting.
Both RTI and MTSS operate on a tiered support system, which goes a little something like this:
Tier 1 (Universal Support) – Whole Class Instruction
High-quality, evidence-based instruction for all students.
Differentiation and accommodations to support diverse learning needs.
Progress monitoring to identify students who may need extra support.
Tier 2 (Targeted Support) – Small Group Interventions
Additional, more targeted instruction for students struggling in Tier 1.
Small group interventions focusing on specific skill deficits.
Frequent progress monitoring to track student response.
Tier 3 (Intensive Support) – Individualized Interventions
Highly intensive, individualized interventions for students who haven’t responded to Tier 2 supports.
This often includes special education services, language acquisition support, and/or behavioral interventions.
Now, let’s talk about how this applies to special education and English language learners (ELLs).
Using RTI/MTSS for Special Education Students
For students with disabilities, RTI and MTSS help ensure that we’re identifying their needs early and providing layered support instead of immediately jumping to special education referrals (which we know can sometimes take longer than getting a passport). Here’s how:
1. Early Intervention = Fewer Special Education Referrals
Many students who struggle academically don’t necessarily need special education; they just need targeted intervention. By catching gaps early, we can prevent unnecessary referrals and get students the support they need within the general education setting.
2. Progress Monitoring Helps with IEP Goals
The data collected through RTI/MTSS helps special education teachers track IEP goals effectively.
Instead of relying solely on teacher observations (which are important, but subjective), progress monitoring gives data-driven insights into student growth.
3. Tiered Support Works WITH IEPs, Not Against Them
Tier 1: Quality instruction and accommodations that all students benefit from (hello, UDL!).
Tier 2: Small group instruction aligned with IEP goals.
Tier 3: Intensive interventions that might overlap with special education services, but can also support students who don’t qualify for an IEP yet.
Supporting English Language Learners (ELLs) Through MTSS
ELLs are often misidentified for special education because language acquisition can sometimes look like a learning disability. (Spoiler alert: It’s not.) MTSS helps differentiate between a language barrier and an actual learning difficulty by ensuring students get the right type of support.
1. Avoiding Over-Identification
When an ELL struggles, the first step should be language-focused interventions (not immediately assuming they have a disability).
Tier 1: Sheltered instruction, vocabulary support, and scaffolded learning.
Tier 2: Small group intervention targeting language acquisition and literacy.
Tier 3: If difficulties persist despite targeted language support, then we consider other potential learning needs.
2. Culturally Responsive Teaching in Tier 1
Incorporate students’ native language and culture into lessons.
Use visual supports, sentence stems, and structured peer interactions to aid comprehension.
Leverage technology (like translation tools or speech-to-text software) to support students in accessing content.
3. Collecting the Right Data
Standardized tests aren’t always ELL-friendly—so let’s use formative assessments, oral language samples, and writing portfolios to track progress instead.
Frequent informal check-ins can help us determine if an ELL’s struggles stem from language or learning challenges.
Making RTI and MTSS Work in Your School
Alright, now that we’ve covered the basics, how do we actually put this into practice? Here are some quick action steps you can take:
For Teachers
Start small: Use exit tickets or quick formative assessments to track student progress.
Collaborate: Work with ESL teachers, special education staff, and interventionists to make data-driven decisions.
Document EVERYTHING: This helps with IEP meetings, parent conferences, and instructional planning.
For Administrators & Support Staff
Provide time for intervention planning (because teachers can’t squeeze it into their already maxed-out schedules!).
Train staff on MTSS/RTI so that everyone understands the process—not just reading specialists and interventionists.
Ensure access to quality interventions and resources for both special education students and ELLs.
Final Thoughts
RTI and MTSS are not just buzzwords—they’re powerful tools that can help all students succeed, especially those who need extra academic and language support. Whether you’re working with students with disabilities, English language learners, or both, implementing these systems effectively ensures that no student falls through the cracks.
And let’s be honest—if we’re going to have all these acronyms thrown at us, we might as well make them work in our favor!
Got a success story (or frustration) with RTI or MTSS? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear how it’s playing out in your classroom!
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