ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the concept of tiered systems and their alignment with trends in educational policy and school reform. It focuses on leadership to illustrate how educational leaders might build the capacity to implement multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) frameworks as a systematic strategy for improving student achievement in their schools. The chapter examines what is known about leading instructional change in schools and guiding the adoption, implementation, and sustainability of MTSS. It provides a discussion within a framework linking school leadership with student learning to illustrate the actions leaders can take to drive change toward more powerful and equitable learning opportunities for all students. In implementing multi-tiered systems, an essential aspect is assuring that necessary personnel are available to plan, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of new practices. Staff roles must be clarified, determining the extent to which teachers, school psychologists and related services personnel will participate across the tiers of instruction.
