What is the purpose of decision rules in MTSS progress monitoring?

• A. To determine when to adjust supports based on data, escalate or modify interventions, and identify when a student has met criteria for continuation.
• B. To decide which students to remove from services.
• C. To replace teacher judgment entirely.
• D. To determine curriculum sequencing only.

Answer: (A)

In MTSS progress monitoring, decisions are driven by data-based rules that tell you how to respond to a student’s performance. These rules specify when you should adjust or intensify supports, escalate to more intensive interventions, and when a student has met the criteria to continue with the current level of support. The idea is to use ongoing progress data to determine next steps rather than acting on intuition alone.

If the data show limited or no progress toward goals, the decision rules prompt changes in the intervention plan or increased support. If there is reliable improvement toward meeting targets, the rules support continuing with the current approach or tapering intensity as appropriate. When a student meets the set criteria, the rules guide the transition to a less intensive level or continuation with maintenance supports.

This approach is not simply about removing students from services, replacing teacher judgment, or determining curriculum sequencing alone. It is a comprehensive framework for making timely, data-informed decisions about the level and type of support a student needs.