Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) is an integrated framework which addresses academic as well as social-emotional/behavioral development of children from early childhood to graduation.

• Response to Intervention (RtI) and Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) are integral parts of MTSS – but MTSS is more cohesive and comprehensive in the goal of meeting the needs of all learners. Hurst (2014)
• MTSS integrates assessment and intervention within a multi-level prevention system to maximize student achievement and reduce behavior problems.

The Integrated Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Fidelity Rubric (IMFR) is a tool created to assess an elementary school’s implementation of Integrated Multi-tiered Systems of Support (I-MTSS). I-MTSS is a model where academic and social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) supports are strategically combined to improve students' academic (e.g., reading and/or math) and SEB outcomes.

The tool was developed by researchers at AIR and the University of Missouri (MU) as a part of a five-year study funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Investigators included Dr. Allison Gandhi (AIR, principal investigator), Dr. Erica Lembke (MU, co-principal investigator) and Dr. Chris Riley-Tillman (MU, co-principal investigator). Jennifer Pierce (AIR) served as project director and Heather Smith (MU) served as project coordinator. 

SST8 has compiled a list of resources in order to help your school create and implement EWIMS.