Governor Mikie Sherrill • Lt. Governor Dr. Dale G. Caldwell

Resources

Guiding Success

The New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS) and
Intervention and Referral Services (I&RS) in New Jersey Schools

The COVER-TO-COVER Reader

If you want a comprehensive understanding of how NJTSS and Intervention & Referral Services (I&RS) align in New Jersey schools, you may wish to read the guidebook from beginning to end.

  • The foundations and purpose of NJTSS
  • Essential components for implementation
  • Strategies for district and school alignment
  • Tools for evaluation and sustainability
Guide
The SELECTIVE Reader

Some readers may only need to focus on specific sections most relevant to their role or immediate needs.

  • Strategic planning and team structures
  • Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 supports
  • Data-informed decision making
  • Equity and culturally responsive practices

Sections include:

The RESOURCE Reviewer

The guidebook also serves as a reference manual with tools such as:

  • Frameworks and templates
  • Examples of best practice
  • Guidance aligned with New Jersey policies

Includes:

This technical manual offers comprehensive information on the NJTSS framework and its integration with I&RS. It includes detailed explanations, visual examples, and resources. The manual is available for download in its entirety or by section.  

  • Guiding Success (Full download)  
  • Section 1: The New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS) Framework  
  • Section 2: Operations of a Coordinated System of Interventions  
    • Appendix 2.1 Evaluation Screening Assessments
    • Appendix 2.2: Evaluating Interventions for Academic Skills and Social-Emotional and Behavioral Functioning
    • Appendix 2.3: Evaluating Progress Monitors
  • Section 3: Development of Multidisciplinary Teams and Accompanying Processes  
  • Section 4: Self-Assessment and Resource Mapping  
  • Section 5: Implementation Planning  
  • Section 6: Communications  
  • Section 7: Mindset and Environment – Strategies to Strengthen Intervention Services and MTSS Over Time   
  • Section 8: Sustainability  
  • Section 9: Self-Evaluation – Reflection on Coordinated System of Interventions 

The following tools are provided to assist with NJTSS framework development.  

Professional learning is offered live and asynchronously. Updates on NJTSS professional development will appear here. 
  • Professional Learning Series: The Professional Learning Series offers a series of webinars, slide decks, tools, and templates. School districts can use prerecorded, asynchronous webinars to learn more about the essential components of NJTSS, as well as to turn-key information to staff. 
  • Communities of Practice (CoPs): CoPs offer opportunities for live professional development and in-depth exploration of the NJTSS framework. Each CoP will include a series of up to five live, virtual learning sessions based on NJTSS topics or essential components. Opportunities will be posted as they are available. 

Selecting Evidence-Based Interventions: 
  • What Works Clearinghouse: What Works Clearinghouse offers reports, studies, and charts to help school districts make decisions about evidence-based materials and programs.  
  • Evidence for ESSA: Evidence for ESSA provides school districts with information to select evidence-based programs that meet the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) standards. 
Math Resources: 
  • Math Intervention Resources: This NJDOE-created resource provides a list of websites to supplement instruction in math, organized by tier.  
  • Numberfly: Numberfly allows educators to create early math fluency probes online. 
ELA Resources: 
Family Resources: 
  • SPAN Parent Advocacy Network: SPAN gives families information, materials, and resources to improve education, health, and mental health outcomes for their children. 
  • Reading Rockets: Literacy at Home: Reading Rockets offers tips, guides, and other resources to help families support literacy at home for their children.   
Positive Behavior Resources 
  • New Jersey Positive Behavior Supports in Schools (NJPBSIS):  NJ PBSIS provides comprehensive professional development to support the implementation of tiered interventions that provide equitable access to a range of school intervention needs including conduct, behavior and social and emotional wellness. 
  • Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS): PBIS is an evidence-based, three-tiered framework to improve and integrate all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. This resource offers information on PBIS as well as presentations and tools to get started.  
Remote Learning 
The following resources help school districts structure remote learning in the areas of early reading, early math, and universal screening.  

Training

NJ DOE Events

Team Application for the NJTSS-Chronic Absenteeism (CA) Cohort 2026-2027

Why This Matters Chronic absenteeism (CA) continues to present a significant barrier to student success across New Jersey. The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) is pleased to announce the launch of an exclusive nine-month long professional learning opportunity focused on reducing chronic absenteeism utilizing the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS) via the PD4Me New Jersey learning pathway.
What LEAs Will Gain

Local educational agency (LEA) teams will gain practical strategies to build cohesive, schoolwide approaches to improving attendance through NJTSS.

  • Asynchronous Modules: On-demand, online asynchronous learning modules for K–12 educators and school staff, providing a comprehensive understanding of the critical role attendance plays in student success. Modules will introduce chronic absenteeism, its legal foundations, team building and governance, and data-informed decision making.
  • Live Expert Sessions: Expert sessions will feature case-based learning focused on real-world application and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Virtual Office Hours: Implementation coaching specifically for LEA school teams to provide additional, targeted support.
  • Community of Practice (CoP): CoP will facilitate peer-to-peer learning, reflection, and strategy development.
How to Apply

Complete an online application. 

If you are unable to submit via Google Form above, please email attendance@doe.nj.gov for access to an alternate form.
Who Should Apply

School-based teams are encouraged to apply, including I&RS, MTSS, NJTSS, ASP, ScIP, or similar attendance-focused structures. Teams typically include a school administrator, general and special educators, student support staff, a school nurse, and an attendance designee, where applicable.


LEAs may register three to five representatives from the team. When selecting representatives, please consider that the majority must be able to attend all live professional development sessions. Space is limited to ensure meaningful opportunities for participation.
Timeline
  • Application Opens: June 3, 2026
  • Application Closes: June 30, 2026
  • Cohort Runs: October 2026 through June 2027

Three Part Webinar Series

Date Topic Time Registration Resources
12/4/25 Part One: Connecting the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports and Intervention & Referral Services 11:00 - 12:30 Registration

Resources 
3/5/26 Part Two: Navigating the Intersection of NJTSS and Students with Special Needs 11:00 - 12:30 Registration Resources
4/29/26 Advancing NJTSS in Secondary Settings 11:00 - 12:30 Registration Flyer

Community of Practice: Guiding the Implementation of the New Jersey Tiered of System of Supports

Districts may register a team of three to five participants, inclusive of school and district officials, who are able to commit to attending all five CoP sessions.

Pre-Registration Requirements

Through Rutgers Continuing Education your team will be asked to:

  • Upload local flowcharts and/or manuals describing current intervention and referral services processes.
  • Answer the following required questions as part of the pre-registration process:
    • In 2-4 sentences, describe a district-level goal related to the advancement or implementation of NJTSS.
    • Which aspect of your current intervention system needs the most clarity or coherence?
    • What changes could indicate stronger or more consistent NJTSS implementation in your district?
Dates Topics Time Registration

1/13/26

2/11/26

3/26/26

4/22/26

5/28/26

Session 1: Laying the Foundation for NJTSS: District Self-Assessment

Session 2: Self-Assessment Results & Resource Mapping

Session 3: Strategic Planning for NJTSS Implementation

Session 4: Data-Driven Decision Making & Continuous Improvement

Session 5: Sustainability & Scaling NJTSS

 11:00 - 2:00 Registration (closed)

Questions? Email njtss@doe.nj.gov

The New Jersey Tiered System of Supports Professional Learning Series offers a series of webinars, slide decks, tools, and templates. School districts can use prerecorded, asynchronous webinars to learn more about the essential components of NJTSS, as well as turn-key information to staff. 

District Resource Inventory (DRI) An interactive tool districts can use to assess their current NJTSS implementation status. It offers a quick snapshot of NJTSS progress and implementation in six domains. 

Self-Assessment - NJTSS An interactive, questionnaire-style inventory that districts can use to assess their NJTSS readiness. It also offers recommended actions in areas where districts are not yet implementing NJTSS essential components. 

If you see an alligator

Dont forget to scream By: Unknown Author

If you see an alligator

Related Resources

Learning Resource Centers (LRC)
  • Learning Resource Centers (LRC): LRCs provide materials and resources to support the education of students with disabilities, helping them to succeed and to achieve in the least restrictive environment. The Centers provide regional and targeted professional development and technical assistance to educators and families of students with disabilities. 
Offices and Related Projects
  • Rutgers Guiding Success Project: In collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Student Support Services (OSSS), the Rutgers Guiding Success Team develops professional learning opportunities and digital resources designed to support the implementation and sustainability of the New Jersey Tiered System of Supports (NJTSS) framework in grades K-12.
  • The Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery (LEAR): The Office of Learning Equity and Academic Recovery serves as a central hub for coordinating statewide literacy initiatives and ensuring that all students have access to high-quality learning opportunities. This site includes a wide variety of resources related to literacy and reading. 
  • New Jersey Tiered Systems of Support for Early Reading (NJTSS-ER): NJTSS-ER provides thorough guidance on creating and implementing an NJTSS framework that focuses on early reading. This resource includes materials, resources, training videos,  checklists, workbooks, and information regarding implementing an early reading framework using NJTSS.
  • New Jersey Positive Behavior Supports in Schools (NJPBSIS):  NJ PBSIS provides comprehensive professional development to support the implementation of tiered interventions that provide equitable access to a range of school intervention needs including conduct, behavior and social and emotional wellness. 
Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Student Attendance
  • Student Attendance: The Office of Student Support Services provides resources, reports, strategies, and regulations on chronic absenteeism in schools. 
  • Attendance Works: Attendance Works offers a host of resources regarding student attendance and chronic absenteeism. It also includes tools to track attendance data and strategies to help combat chronic absenteeism.