Introduction of MTSS

On May 18, 2018, Governor Henry McMaster signed into law Act 213, which directed districts to implement MTSS beginning in the 2019–20 school year. MTSS is a data-driven framework (not a curriculum) to identify and address academic and behavioral challenges, target support to students in three progressing tiers, and monitor student progress to make decisions informed by data. Tier 1 provides universal support for all students, establishing and teaching school-wide achievement and behavior expectations. Tier 2 creates small groups for students who need additional support and intervention. Tier 3 provides targeted support to address intensive individual student needs. Many different approaches to academic, behavioral, and discipline strategies may be deployed within this basic MTSS framework. The law requires universal literacy screening for grades K-1 and as needed for grade 2.

Below, you'll find:

• Newly released - 2024 South Carolina MTSS Framework and Guidance Document
• MTSS Annual Reminders and Guidelines
• Approved Literacy Screeners List

MTSS Request or Question?

If you have any questions about MTSS implementation, or have a request for training or support, please use this form to contact our state MTSS coordinator.

This form is intended for SC educators and administrators who:

• have questions about implementing MTSS,
• would like additional or targeted MTSS resources, and/or
• have a request for MTSS training or support from the SCDE.

Once your question or request is submitted, a member of the Office of Instructional Supports (OIS) will follow up with more information. 
 

MTSS Reminders for the 2025-26 School Year

• MTSS data will still be due at the end of the 2025-26 school; despite the new field validation in PowerSchool, the SCDE will still only collect this information at the end of the school year.
• All districts and charter schools are required to screen all kindergarten and first grade students three times a year for potential reading difficulties. (Literacy Screener)
• More information on the annual reporting may be found on the MTSS State Reporting page.

Learning Disorders Task Force (LDTF)

• Learning Disorders Task Force
• Meeting Information
• LDTF Public Comment Protocol

Approved Literacy Universal Screeners for the 2025–26 School Year

• Acadience Reading (previously called DIBELS Next) from Acadience;
• aimswebPLUS from Pearson;
• Amira from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt;
• Classworks Universal Screener from Classworks;
• DIBELS 6^th and 8^th Editions from the University of Oregon Center for Teaching and Learning;
• Imagine+ Early Literacy/Dyslexia Screener; 
• easyCBM from Riverside Insights;
• Fastbridge from FastBridge;
• iReady Diagnostic from Curriculum Associates, LLC;
• iSTEEP from iSTEEP Learning;
• MAP Reading Fluency from NWEA;
• mCLASS with DIBELS 8^th Edition from Amplify;
• STAR CBM from Renaissance Learning; and
• STAR Early Literacy if used with STAR CBM fluency tasks.

Grade	Abilities/Skills
Kindergarten	Alphabetic Principle (Letter-Sound Relationships) Alphabet Knowledge (Letter-Naming) Phonological Awareness
First Grade	Alphabetic Principle (Letter-Sound Relationships) Alphabet Knowledge (Letter-Naming) Phonological Awareness Fluency

Other Screening Protocols

Act 213 also recommends that districts develop procedures for screening and identifying at risk students in other areas, such as numeracy and behavioral health. Information on how to develop universal screening and intervention protocols may be found in the state MTSS framework document.

If your district would like assistance in developing a universal screening process or selecting tools, please email Charlene Gleaton at cgleaton@ed.sc.gov.
 

MTSS Training Presentations

Universal Screener Presentation from SECC
Tier 2 and Tier 3 Intervention Presentation from SECC
Six Components of MTSS Modules and updated training presentations coming soon.

MTSS Legislative Documents

MTSS Law (adopted 5/18/2018)