A 2025 Principal’s Playbook for RTI/MTSS and What Works at Every Tier

Why RTI/MTSS Matters in 2025

K–12 schools are standing at a crossroads right now. The pandemic widened learning gaps, state literacy laws are raising the bar, and AI-powered data systems are reshaping how we respond to student needs. For principals, the question is clear: How do we design a system where every child—regardless of starting point—can succeed?

The answer lies in RTI (Response to Intervention) and its broader framework, MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). Yes, in 2025, this is a compliance model as well as the backbone of equitable, future-ready schools. Done well, MTSS is about building a schoolwide blueprint that says, "LOOK, we have a plan for everyone, at every tier."

RTI/MTSS Essentials: The Four Pillars

A strong MTSS in 2025 rests on four non-negotiables:

  • Universal Screening: Every student, every year. Early, proactive checks for academic and behavioral needs.

  • Progress Monitoring: Frequent data check-ins that guide instruction in real time.

  • Three-Tiered Support System:

    • Tier 1: High-quality, evidence-based instruction for all.

    • Tier 2: Targeted small groups for students who need an extra boost.

    • Tier 3: Intensive, individualized supports for the highest-need learners.

  • Data-Driven Decisions: Teams use academic, attendance, and behavioral data—often enhanced by AI dashboards—to ensure interventions stick.

These essentials are not just “best practice.” They’re the difference between hoping students catch up and actually getting them there.

What’s New in 2025?

The principles of MTSS aren’t new, but the context has shifted. Here’s what principals can’t afford to ignore:

Ei360: The Principal's Playbook RTI/MTSS

Ei360: The Principal's Playbook RTI/MTSS

1. Post-Pandemic Realities

The data is sobering: students lost up to one-third of reading growth and two-thirds of math progress in some grades. Schools that double down on strong Tier 1 instruction and well-layered supports are closing these gaps without over-identifying students for special education.

2. The Literacy Policy Wave

More than 30 states now mandate “science of reading” approaches. That means principals must prioritize high-quality curricula, professional learning, and ongoing teacher support to ensure every child becomes a confident reader.

3. Tutoring as a Game-Changer

High-dosage tutoring is no longer optional—it’s a proven Tier 2/3 strategy. Schools are partnering with groups like Saga Education to deliver daily, data-driven tutoring that moves the needle on student outcomes.

4. AI-Powered Intervention Management

Platforms like Panorama and Branching Minds are transforming how schools handle MTSS. Imagine a single dashboard that integrates SIS data, screeners, and progress monitoring, then flags needs automatically. That’s where schools are heading—and principals who embrace it are gaining precious time back for teachers.

Innovative Practices Principals Are Leading

Across the country, schools are reimagining MTSS with bold strategies:

  • Weekly Data Meetings: Support teams huddle every week with unified dashboards, making decisions fast and effectively.

  • Dedicated MTSS Roles: Coordinators, data coaches, and literacy leaders ensure the system doesn’t live on paper—it lives in classrooms.

  • Whole-Child Integration: Academic, behavioral, and social-emotional data are combined to support the entire learner.

  • Peer Tutoring and Mentoring: Structured student-led supports that extend Tier 2/3 without exhausting staff.

Principal’s Playbook: Leading RTI/MTSS in 2025

Tier 1: The Foundation

  • Prioritize high-quality, inclusive instruction for all students.

  • Align universal screeners with state standards.

  • Ensure teachers have professional learning that builds instructional confidence.

Tier 2: The Targeted Boost

  • Group students strategically, using real-time data.

  • Maximize the impact of high-dosage tutoring by embedding it in the school schedule.

  • Track progress with frequent checkpoints.

Tier 3: The Intensive Safety Net

  • Build individualized plans with tech-enabled progress monitoring.

  • Involve families and specialists for wraparound services.

  • Maintain fidelity through consistent coaching and support.

Final Word

The 2025 school year demands more than maintaining systems. We are calling for reimagining them. Principals who see MTSS not as another initiative but as a schoolwide culture of support will position their schools for equity, excellence, and long-term success.

Your playbook is here at Educational Innovation 360. The question is, How will you run it?

Ei360: 5 Essential Steps for Implementing MTSS in K-12 Schools

References

(APA format, as requested. For full details and digital object identifiers, consult individual publisher sites.)

Holston, S., Putman, H., & Peske, H. (2024). Five Policy Actions to Strengthen Implementation of the Science of Reading. National Council on Teacher Quality.

Panorama Education. (2025). How AI Tools Can Support Schools in MTSS Implementation. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/how-ai-tools-can-support-schools-in-mtss-implementation.

Frontline Education. (2025). Recommitting to RTI/MTSS After COVID-19 School Closures. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://www.frontlineeducation.com/blog/rti-mtss-programs-after-covid-school-closures/.

Branching Minds. (2025). MTSS RTI Articles & Resources. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://www.branchingminds.com/blog.

Edutopia. (2016). Response to Intervention: Resources for Educators. Retrieved April 8, 2016, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/response-to-intervention-resources-youki-terada.

Panorama Education. (2019). Bring Your MTSS & RTI Strategies to Life. Retrieved April 2, 2019, from https://www.panoramaed.com/blog/introducing-mtss-rti-intervention-management.

Saga Education. (2025). Research & Impact. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://saga.org/impact/research/

American College of Education. (2025). What is Response to Intervention? Retrieved January 10, 2025, from https://ace.edu/blog/what-is-response-to-intervention/.

National Association of School Psychologists. (2021). RTI/MTSS Recovery Recommendations.

MTSS Innovations Conference. (2025). 29th Annual Innovations Conference. Retrieved February 6, 2025, from https://www.mtss-innovations.com.

CCSSO. (2025). Science of Reading Legislation and Implementation State Scan. Retrieved August 19, 2025, from https://learning.ccsso.org/science-of-reading-legislation-and-implementation-state-scan

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