| RTI | Response to Intervention. Extra help, plus regular checks to see if it works |
| MTSS | Multi-Tiered System of Supports. The state's name for the whole system, covering academics, behavior and wellness |
| Tier | A level of help. 1 is for everyone, 2 is targeted, 3 is intensive |
| Intervention | A specific kind of extra help, given on a schedule |
| Intervention strategies | The state's term for help above what all students get. In practice, Tier 2 and Tier 3 |
| Universal screener | A short test given to all students to find who may need help |
| Progress monitoring | Short, regular checks that show whether a student is growing |
| Baseline | The starting score, before help begins |
| Goal | The target score and the date to reach it |
| Fidelity | Whether the help was given the way and as often as planned |
| Notice of Interventions | The written notice sent to a parent when Tier 2 or 3 begins |
| Referral | Sending a student's case on for a special education or 504 evaluation |
| Evaluation | Formal testing to see whether a student has a disability and needs services |
| Section 504 | A federal law that gives supports to students with disabilities in general education |
| PEIMS | The state's data system. The district reports its yearly count of students served through it |
| TEA | Texas Education Agency |
| PBIS | Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. The behavior side of the tiers |
| Check-in/check-out | A Tier 2 behavior support where a student meets an adult at the start and end of each day |