MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) Archives - Keys to Literacy

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The MTSS Framework and Literacy Planning at the Secondary Level

The components of a comprehensive literacy plan for organizing, implementing, and sustaining literacy improvement align closely with the elements of an MTSS framework. Schools that are successfully implementing MTSS can build on their existing systems and structures when developing a literacy plan. Likewise, developing a comprehensive literacy plan can strengthen a school’s use of MTSS to support literacy achievement. In this way, literacy planning and MTSS are mutually reinforcing efforts. Both MTSS and comprehensive literacy planning extend beyond identifying and supporting students who struggle with reading and writing. Their systems-based approaches encourage schools to strengthen the instructional, organizational, and implementation conditions needed to improve literacy achievement for all students.

Joan Sedita | October 5, 2026 | 0 Comments

Middle & High School: School-Wide Literacy Planning

This month’s post is an updated version of an article I originally wrote in 2011. Unfortunately, since that time, the literacy skills of adolescent students have not improved. This is evident in the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reading results, which show that only 31% of Grade 4 students and 30% of Grade 8 students are performing at or above the proficient level. Literacy skills are more essential than ever for success in college and the workplace, as well as for managing the everyday demands of an increasingly complex society and global economy.

Joan Sedita | December 8, 2025 | 3 Comments

Principles of Effective Literacy Instruction

There are several key teaching principles that help educators address a wide range of learning styles and student needs across all grade levels when teaching reading and writing. These core instructional practices are emphasized in every Keys to Literacy professional development course. This post explains the following principles: Explicit and Systematic Instruction, Gradual Release of Responsibility, Models and Think Aloud, Differentiated Instruction and Scaffolds, Automaticity Through Practice and Review, Data-Driven Instruction, and Providing Opportunities for Success.

Joan Sedita | April 4, 2025 | 2 Comments

Reading Assessment Model, Grades 5-12

By the time students reach grade 5 and beyond, they require grade-level reading skills in order to learn and meet the growing demands of challenging text encountered in the secondary grades. It is therefore essential to screen all students at least once a year to determine if their literacy skills are keeping up with grade-level requirements. Many schools rely solely on high-stakes state assessments to determine grade-level reading ability for these grades. While this kind of assessment offers a first glance of who may be struggling to read, they do not provide sufficient data to determine why, and more importantly, the type of intervention supports these students need.

Joan Sedita | November 25, 2024 | 7 Comments

You May Be Right, I May Be Crazy: MTSS and Tier I Instruction

This is a guest re-post of a blog recently written by Stephanie Stollar, founder of Stephanie Stollar Consulting and creator of The Reading Science Academy. Stephanie's message caught our eye -- she shares some important insights about issues related to implementing core literacy instruction for schools using a multi-tiered system of supports framework.

Stephanie Stollar | March 20, 2024 | 1 Comment

Reading Intervention for Older Struggling Students

In the last few months I have seen a growing interest in adolescent literacy. This includes content literacy instruction for all students that is integrated across subject areas, as well as intervention instruction for older students who struggle with reading and writing. Between 2005 and 2015, a number of adolescent literacy research reports were published based on meta-analyses of research on effective practices for teaching reading and writing to older students, and the website AdLit.org was also launched (see the reference list).

Joan Sedita | April 8, 2021 | 6 Comments

A literacy planning model to support MTSS

In an earlier Literacy Lines post (What is MTSS? November 16, 2016) we explained an instructional framework that includes a universal screening of all students, multiple tiers of instruction and support services, and an integrated data collection and assessment system to inform decisions at each tier of instruction. An MTSS framework can be used for literacy, math, or supporting positive behavior. In order to successfully implement an MTSS framework for literacy, schools and districts must first complete a process to develop a literacy plan.

Joan Sedita | July 31, 2018 | 0 Comments

What is MTSS?

Over the past few years, a number of state-level departments of education have developed requirements for adoption of MTSS by school districts, as well as resources to help schools implement MTSS. As I work with districts to develop literacy plans, I am often asked to explain MTSS and how Keys to Literacy professional development support an MTSS literacy instruction model.

Joan Sedita | November 16, 2016 | 1 Comment