You were told your child is "in Tier 2." Now what?

You're sitting at the table in a school meeting. Someone says "MTSS," "Tier 2," "progress monitoring." Everyone nods. You nod too, and then spend the drive home wondering what you were supposed to ask. This free toolkit is for that moment.

What's inside

• MTSS Meeting Checklist. A one-page, printable sheet with the questions to ask and space to write down what you hear, what's being tried, and when it will be reviewed.
• Sample Referral Letter. A plain-language letter you can fill in to ask, in writing, for a special education evaluation, with the steps that protect your timeline.

Get the free toolkit

Two different things families often hear at once

MTSS is a general education framework schools use to notice when a student needs more support and respond early. The tiers are Tier 1 (support for everyone), Tier 2 (supplemental, small-group support, which you may hear called "targeted" or "strategic"), and Tier 3 (more intensive, individualized support).

A special education evaluation is a separate, individual process with legal protections. In North Carolina, the school has 90 calendar days from receiving a written referral to complete the evaluation, the eligibility decision, and, if your child is eligible, the IEP and placement.

They can connect, but one does not have to come first. You do not have to wait for MTSS to finish before you ask for an evaluation.

Who made this

I'm Ashley Springs, Ed.S. I started as a special education teacher, and I've spent more than 18 years in education, including leading MTSS at the district level and supporting schools at the state level with the NC Department of Public Instruction. I made this because families deserve the same clear answers school teams already have. It's free, and you're welcome to share it in full.

Need a person?

• Autism Society of North Carolina: find help by county.
• ECAC (Exceptional Children's Assistance Center) is North Carolina's federally designated Parent Training and Information Center. Their help is free to families.

This toolkit is general information, not legal advice. It applies to North Carolina public schools and to an initial special education (IEP) referral; Section 504 follows a different timeline. Tiers and tools vary by school.

Work in a school or district? See how Defining My Way Academy supports school leaders.