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Virginia Tiered Systems of Support

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The Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) is data-driven decision making framework for establishing the academic, behavioral and social-emotional supports needed for a school to be an effective learning environment for all students.

The VTSS systemic approach allows divisions, schools and communities to provide multiple levels of supports to students in a more effective and efficient, clearly defined process. Implementing the VTSS requires the use of evidence-based, system-wide practices with fidelity to provide a quick response to academic, behavioral, social and emotional needs. The practices are progress-monitored frequently to enable educators to make sound, data-based instructional decisions for students.

VTSS functions under the anchor process of integrating data, practices and systems to affect outcomes. The essential elements of an effective VTSS framework are:

• Data Informed Decision-Making
• Evidence-Based Practices
• Family, School and Community Partnerships
• Monitoring Student Progress (including universal screening)
• Evaluation (outcomes and fidelity)

Essential elements of an effective VTSS framework

The vision of VTSS is to build capacity for a sustained tiered system of academic, behavioral, social and emotional supports that are responsive to the needs of all students. Instruction and intervention are provided based on specific criteria to address areas of need, with an understanding that students are not tiered, but rather the support services are tiered.

Tiered System

Promoting Equity in Education Through Family Engagement Video (9.5 minutes)

For more information about implementing VTSS in your school division, contact VTSS Coordinator Maribell Saimre or by phone at 804-692-0396 or T/TAC William and Mary's specialists [[dvlorio, Daria Lorio-Barsten]], and [[kbmcculloch, Kara McCulloch]].

Visit the state website for Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS)

Visit Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) of Virginia website for PBIS resources.