Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Multilingual Learners

The guide addresses a critical gap in traditional school models: the tendency to misidentify language acquisition as a learning disability and over-refer MLs for special education services. It advocates for a culturally and linguistically-aligned lens to ensure that multilingual learners receive support that respects their primary language and cultural background.

The report focuses on several key areas of practice:

• The PLUSS Framework: six themes for enhancing interventions for MLs (Pre-teaching vocabulary, Language modeling, Using visuals, Strategic use of home language, and Scaffolding).

• Strategies for adapting Tier 2 and 3 interventions so they are not just “standard” English interventions but are modified to leverage a student’s full linguistic repertoire.

• Use the “Data-Based Individualization” process in a culturally and linguistically responsive way. The guide includes visual tools (decision trees) to help schools use data to determine if a student’s performance is typical for their “true peers”.

Resource Link

Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Multilingual Learners

Source

American Institutes for Research - National Center on Intensive Intervention