MTSS Tier Movement Protocol: Data-Driven Decisions Every 6 Weeks

Tier Movement Rate

8%/cycle 22%/cycle

+175%

Time in Tier 2

18 weeks avg 8 weeks avg

-56%

Decision Documentation

40% 100%

+150%

Symptom

Students entered Tier 2 intervention and stayed there indefinitely. There was no systematic process for deciding when a student should move up to Tier 1 (success) or down to Tier 3 (more support). The average time in Tier 2 was 18 weeks — nearly half the school year — because no one made the decision to change. Data existed but wasn't driving decisions. Teams reviewed data and said "let's keep monitoring" rather than making a clear move.

People

The MTSS team redesigned the decision process with clear criteria and timelines. Team: - MTSS coordinator — Protocol design, meeting facilitation - Grade-level intervention leads — Data preparation, student advocacy - School psychologist — Decision criteria validation - Principal — Resource allocation for tier changes

Data

Every student in Tier 2 or 3 had a factor tracked biweekly measuring their target skill. Progress was displayed on a data wall with a clear aim line (expected rate of progress). At each 6-week review, the team compared actual progress to the aim line. Every decision (stay, move up, move down) was documented with the supporting data.

Plan

A strict 6-week review cycle with three possible outcomes: 1. Move UP (Tier 2→1 or 3→2): Student's progress meets or exceeds the aim line for 4 of 6 weeks. Intervention is reduced or removed. Student is monitored for 4 weeks to ensure maintenance. 2. STAY: Student is making progress but hasn't met criteria. Continue current intervention for one more cycle. Maximum 2 consecutive stay decisions before a change is required. 3. Move DOWN (Tier 1→2 or 2→3): Student's progress is below the aim line for 4 of 6 weeks despite intervention fidelity. Intensify support. The "maximum 2 stays" rule was the breakthrough. It forced action and prevented the comfortable inertia of "let's keep watching." Every decision was documented: date, data reviewed, decision made, rationale, next review date. This created an audit trail and ensured accountability.

Resources

Tier Movement Decision Rubric

Criteria and flow chart for move up / stay / move down

6-Week Review Meeting Template

Structured agenda with data review protocol