Academic Support Services
Middle School North
Middle School South
K-5 Schools
Multi-Tiered System of Supports
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a multi-tiered instructional approach to identifying and supporting students' academic, behavioral, or attendance needs. The goal of MTSS is to ensure that all students receive high-quality instruction and timely interventions based on their individual needs. MTSS helps HTPS identify struggling learners early and provide targeted instruction to help them succeed. Parents are important partners in this process and will be kept informed of their child’s progress and any interventions being implemented.
The Three MTSS “Categories”
In MTSS, every student who needs additional support must be placed into one of three “categories”—Academic, Behavior, or Attendance—so that the intervention matches the true underlying need. Before initiating any services, the teacher or relevant specialist must determine which type of intervention is appropriate. This ensures that teams address the root cause of the concern rather than the symptom. Clear identification of the correct category leads to more accurate support, efficient tier movement, and meaningful student progress.
1. Academic
The Academic category includes students who need support with reading, writing, or math skills. These needs are identified through classroom performance, screenings like Star, benchmark assessments, and formative checks. Students receive targeted instruction, skill-based interventions, and regular progress monitoring to close specific learning gaps.
2. Behavior
The Behavior category includes students who need support with social-emotional skills, self-regulation, executive functioning, or behavior expectations. Data sources may include teacher observations, SEL screeners, or behavior logs. Interventions may include check-in/check-out, behavior plans, counseling, or structured reinforcement systems.
3. Attendance
The Attendance category focuses on students with patterns of absences or tardiness. Attendance data is clear and easy to track, helping identify students at risk of or already experiencing chronic absenteeism. Supports may include attendance plans, family outreach, mentoring, or tiered strategies aligned with the district’s restorative attendance policy.
When Student Needs Overlap…
Students' academic, behavior, and attendance needs do not always occur in isolation. One area of concern may contribute to difficulties in another. For example, frequent absences may result in missed instruction and declining academic performance. In this situation, the attendance concern should be addressed first, as providing an academic intervention alone may not resolve the underlying issue. Similarly, ongoing academic struggles may lead to frustration, disengagement, or behavioral concerns. MTSS teams should consider how these areas are connected and identify the root cause of the concern so that supports are provided in the appropriate order. As the primary concern improves, teams can continue to monitor the student and determine whether additional supports are needed in other areas.
A Three-Tier System
Once it has been decided which intervention category a particular student falls into, a three-tier intervention system is implemented.
Literacy and Mathematics Labs
At the middle school level, students participate in an array of cycle offerings, commonly referred to as electives. Among the cycle offerings available are the Literacy and Mathematics Labs. Students may opt in to the Lab courses when they choose elective classes, but may also be enrolled in Lab courses based on demonstrated academic need in a particular content area. The Literacy and Mathematics Labs are not graded courses. The Lab courses follow the cycle (elective) schedule. Each student enrolled in a Lab course works towards individual learning goals, which are developed by the instructor and the student. The learning goals are aimed at helping students attain the level of College and Career Readiness that is necessary for them to be successful later in their education, in their careers, and throughout their lives. Upon achieving individual learning goals, students exit the lab at the conclusion of the current cycle, and begin their next cycle course. Students seeking enrichment in the content areas may choose Literacy or Mathematics Lab as an elective option. Enrichment sections of Lab courses will be provided to students requesting the course for enrichment based on scheduling availability. While program materials vary based on the goals and needs of the individual student, program materials and instruction is aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English-Language Arts and Mathematics.
At the middle school level, students participate in an array of cycle offerings, commonly referred to as electives. Among the cycle offerings available are the Literacy and Mathematics Labs. Students may opt in to the Lab courses when they choose elective classes, but may also be enrolled in Lab courses based on demonstrated academic need in a particular content area. The Literacy and Mathematics Labs are not graded courses. The Lab courses follow the cycle (elective) schedule. Each student enrolled in a Lab course works towards individual learning goals, which are developed by the instructor and the student. The learning goals are aimed at helping students attain the level of College and Career Readiness that is necessary for them to be successful later in their education, in their careers, and throughout their lives. Upon achieving individual learning goals, students exit the lab at the conclusion of the current cycle, and begin their next cycle course. Students seeking enrichment in the content areas may choose Literacy or Mathematics Lab as an elective option. Enrichment sections of Lab courses will be provided to students requesting the course for enrichment based on scheduling availability. While program materials vary based on the goals and needs of the individual student, program materials and instruction is aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for English-Language Arts and Mathematics.
Related Links
- New Jersey Student Learning Standards – English Language Arts
- New Jersey Student Learning Standards – Mathematics
- Report on College and Career Readiness by Achieve
Links to Available Resources
- Language Arts
- Mathematics
- K-5 Digital Resources
- NJDOE Tiered System of Supports
- Seven Ways to Prevent Summer Learning Loss