Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Child Find
At Bridge Boston, we use a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to identify and support students who may need additional help. MTSS is a framework that helps us provide early intervention by offering different levels of support based on each student’s needs. This approach allows us to closely monitor students' progress and identify potential learning or behavioral concerns as early as possible.
MTSS is a key part of our Child Find process. By using data and regular check-ins, we can recognize when a student might benefit from specialized services and promptly refer them for further evaluation if necessary. This ensures that all children, including those who may have disabilities, get the support they need to succeed at school.
With MTSS, we’re able to provide the right level of intervention at the right time, helping us meet the requirements of Child Find and ensuring every student’s educational needs are fully addressed.
Child Find at Bridge Boston
Are you concerned about your child’s development or learning? Bridge Boston is committed to identifying and supporting students with potential disabilities as early as possible through the Child Find process.
What is Child Find?
Child Find is a federally mandated process (under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – IDEA) to identify, locate, and evaluate children from birth through age 21 who may have disabilities and may need early intervention or special education services. This process ensures that all children who may need support receive the services to which they are entitled.
How Are Children Identified?
Anyone — including parents, caregivers, or school staff — can refer a child for a Child Find evaluation if there are concerns about development, speech, behavior, or learning. Once a request is made, the Senior Director of Academic Support will respond in writing within 10 school days. A team will then meet with the family to review available data and determine next steps. If an evaluation is warranted, we will request written parent/guardian consent before proceeding.
What Is a Multidisciplinary Evaluation?
A multidisciplinary evaluation involves input from at least two qualified specialists — such as a speech-language pathologist, psychologist, or special educator. This process includes observations, assessments, and interviews to gather a full picture of the child’s strengths and needs. After the evaluation, families will receive a written report, and a meeting will be held to determine if special education services are appropriate.
Bridge Boston's Mission with MTSS:
Early Identification: Through MTSS, we identify students who may need additional support as early as possible, allowing us to intervene and provide targeted assistance before challenges become more significant.
Data-Driven Decisions: We continuously collect and analyze data to monitor student progress, making informed decisions to tailor interventions and ensure every student receives the appropriate support.
Tiered Support: We provide a range of support through different levels (tiers), ensuring that students receive the right amount of help based on their individual needs.
Collaboration: Teachers, specialists, staff, and parents work together to create individualized plans for students, ensuring consistent support across all areas of their education.
Inclusive Learning: We strive to maintain an inclusive environment where all students, regardless of their needs, are given the opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Continuous Improvement: We regularly review and adjust interventions based on ongoing assessments to ensure that students are making progress and that their needs are continually met.
Contact Us
If you have concerns about your child’s learning or development, we encourage you to reach out to our Senior Director of Academic Support, Aristea Arabie.