As school districts across the country implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) to address student needs, many administrators are trying to figure out where the money will come from.

While some funds may be available to improve MTSS overall, many funding sources are available for school districts to implement specific components of MTSS—either across a district or for specific populations of students: 

• MTSS is a long-term practice, so federal funding remains the most sustained source of funding for MTSS programs.
• State formula funding varies and is subject to state education budgets.
• State competitive grants are often funded annually but will require districts to file grant applications for each cycle.

The takeaway? Districts may have to look to several funding sources and combine them to fund their MTSS. 

Federal funding for your Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) can be complicated. Districts face limited resources and relatively inflexible traditional federal funding streams. But, it is worth revisiting available funding mechanisms and considering new funding approaches to implement MTSS and MTSS Software.