MTSS – Glossary

Tier 1

Schoolwide Supports

Tier 2

Targeted Supports

Tier 3

Intensive Supports

Tier 1: SEL Curriculum

A social and emotional learning curriculum is a structured educational program designed to foster and develop students’ social and emotional skills. These skills encompass a wide range of abilities that enable individuals to understand and manage their emotions, build positive relationships, make responsible decisions, and effectively navigate social situations. SEL curricula are implemented in schools to help students develop these skills, which can lead to improved academic performance, enhanced well-being, and better long-term outcomes in various aspects of life.

Tier 1: SWPBIS Program

School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a proactive and systems-level approach to promoting positive behavior. It provides a framework for educators to teach and reinforce appropriate behavior, reduce discipline problems, and ultimately improve academic outcomes for all students. SWPBIS is designed to create a positive and inclusive school environment. It is based on the principles of applied behavior analysis and is an evidence-based framework for school-wide behavior management.

Tier 1: Calm Spaces

A calm space in a classroom or school is a space that is intentionally designed to provide a peaceful environment to assist students in self-calming efforts. The spaces assist in promoting emotional regulation, mental well-being, and school culture by providing a space for students to briefly step away in order to engage in self-care practices.

Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3: Trauma Informed Care

Trauma-Informed Care refers to an understanding of the impact of trauma on children and the use of basic supports/mechanisms to prevent traumatic stress symptoms from interfering with developmental and academic growth. The goal is to to create a compassionate and understanding environment that facilitates healing and fosters resilience.

Tier 1: Mindfulness Instruction

Mindfulness instruction teaches students techniques for calming themselves down and quieting their minds The ultimate goal of mindfulness is to teach students to have awareness of their emotions and then to learn how to better control them.

Tier 1: Elementary Meet Up

Meet Up is a forum where elementary students gather as a whole classroom or in small groups to establish and monitor expectations for how to treat one another, exchange ideas, share experiences, and solve problems. Meet up occurs regularly throughout the week and is intended to establish a classroom environment where all feel connected and valued.

Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3: Restorative Practices

Restorative practices refers to a set of principles and strategies aimed at resolving conflicts, addressing harm, and building positive relationships within a community or organization. These practices prioritize repairing the harm caused by wrongdoing or conflict and aim to create a more inclusive, supportive, and accountable environment where individuals can learn from their mistakes, repair relationships, and contribute to a sense of community well-being.

Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3: Clearly Defined Behavior Expectations & Reporting Procedures

Established guidelines and rules within classrooms, buildings, and the district that adhere to the district code of conduct and discipline code. A process for reporting and addressing incidents of inappropriate or problematic behavior exists to ensure a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment while ensuring accountability in addressing behavioral concerns.

Tier 2 | Tier 3: Student Advisors

Student Advisors prioritize relationships with students and families. They support building administration by addressing behaviors related to level 1 or 2 of the student code of conduct utilizing appropriate consequences, restorative practices and other positive behavioral supports.

Tier 2 | Tier 3: SAP

The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is a state mandated program available in schools throughout Pennsylvania. Trained teachers, counselors, nurses and administrators work together to help students experiencing barriers to learning. SAP members assist students by connecting students and parents to supports and community resources.

Tier 2: Check In/Check Out

Check-in, check-out (CICO) is a strategy commonly used in schools to support students’ social and emotional well-being. It involves daily interactions between a designated staff member and a student who may be experiencing challenges.CICO provides a framework to help students succeed academically and socially by promoting self-awareness, self-regulation, and positive decision-making.

Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3: Student Supports Coordinator

The Student Supports Coordinator (SSC) is responsible for identifying, securing, and organizing community and district resources to address the social-emotional and behavioral needs of students within a building. The SSC works directly with students to provide individual, group and school-wide supports.

Tier 2 | Tier 3: STEP Program

The Students in Transition in East Penn (STEP) program offers small, highly supportive classrooms serving students who are experiencing personal or external challenges which may be impeding their ability to attend school and/or be successful in the academic setting. Direct instruction in social skills, self regulation, coping strategies, mindfulness, resiliency building and executive functioning in addition to academic content support is provided within the program. Enrollment in the program is intended to be short-term and offers varying levels of support based on individual student needs.

Tier 3: LVHN School Based Behavioral Health

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital School-Based Behavioral Health Program provides behavioral health services with the goal of reducing problem behaviors and mental health concerns using trauma-informed evidence-based therapy. School-based behavioral health services are provided during the school day by licensed clinicians under the supervision of a clinical supervisor and board-certified psychiatrist.

Tier 3: BCBA/RBT

BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) and RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) are acronyms related to the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). BCBA professionals are responsible for designing, implementing, and supervising behavior intervention programs for individuals with behavioral challenges or developmental disabilities. Under the supervision of a BCBA, RBTs implement behavior intervention plans, collect data on behavior, and provide direct one-on-one instruction to clients.

Tier 3: Individual Counseling Services

Individual counseling services are one-on-one counseling or therapy. These services are confidential and student-centered, focusing on the specific needs and goals of the individual seeking help.The duration and frequency of counseling sessions can vary depending on the student’s needs and goals, and they may be short-term or long-term in nature.

Tier 3: K/S-MST

K/S-MST is an agency that partners with school districts through a referral process to deliver Multi-systemic Therapy (MST), which is a goal oriented, comprehensive treatment program designed to serve youth. MST is effective in helping youth & families by improving parenting skills, individual functioning, and school attendance and performance.

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