Better Together: Using MTSS as a Structure for Building School–Family Partnerships

Research and policy highlight the important role that families play in supporting their children’s education. Despite the important role of families, many schools struggle to collaborate with families in meaningful ways. Implementing a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) provides an opportunity to partner with families in a problem-solving process focused on preventing students’ academic and behavior problems. In addition, MTSS may provide educators with a useful conceptual framework that fosters a differentiated and responsive approach to engaging with all families.This article describes the role of families within MTSS and provides recommendations that educators may use to build partnerships with families within MTSS.