The Journal of Multitiered Systems of Support (JMTSS) provides a venue for research and descriptions of practice regarding all things relevant to the application of MTSS to the education of children and youth. The journal publishes original research (e.g., randomized trials, quasiexperimental studies, single-case designs, correlational designs, and qualitative designs), systematic reviews, discussion papers that have compelling implications for research and practice, and descriptions of exemplary school-based applications, and is published twice each year (with a goal of moving to quarterly publication). Topics appropriate for the journal include but are not limited to screening, interventions at Tiers 1, 2, or 3, evidence-based interventions, diagnostic and functional assessments, progress monitoring, integrated MTSS, implementation, systems change, and leadership. 

Although all manuscripts should have clear and explicit implications for MTSS research, policy, or practice, the journal will have two sections, Research Articles and Practice Briefs. 

Manuscript Preparation

Manuscript should be limited to 6,000–8,000 words (research articles); 2,000–3,000 words (practice briefs/commentaries), including abstract, references, tables, and figures, and each table should start on a new page. The paper should include a 150 to 250 word abstract and 4 to 6 keywords. Submitted manuscripts are required to adhere to the Publication Manual (7th Edition) of the American Psychological Association (APA). 

Submitted manuscripts are screened for (a) appropriateness of content, (b) adherence to guidelines outlined in the APA Publication Manual, (c) page length limits (specified above), and (d) clear implications for MTSS research, policy, and practice. If these criteria are not met, then the manuscript could be rejected for publication without being sent for further peer review. If these criteria are met, then the manuscript will be assigned to an editor or associate editor to be sent for a double-blind review by at least two reviewers with expertise related to the content and/or methodology of the manuscript. When reviews are returned, the editor assigned to the manuscript carefully considers reviewers’ comments, independently evaluates the manuscript. Reviewers are informed of the final decision and are provided with blinded copies of all reviewers’ comments. Major criteria for publication are quality of the writing, methodology, implications for research/ practice/policy, and overall importance to the MTSS. All original research studies must provide a clear indication that IRB approval was obtained and human participant protections enforced. 

Manuscripts should adhere to the following formatting guidelines: 1. Title Page. Submit a separate title page file with (a) article title; (b) names of all authors; (c) author affiliations, complete mailing address for contact author; and (d) any acknowledgments, financial disclosure information, author notes, or other text that could identify authors to reviewers. 2. Format. 8½ ´ 11 in. document; 1-in. margins; double-spacing, left alignment, Times New Roman, 12-pt. type for text. Include title & abstract. All tables and figures should be embedded in the paper, but appear at the end. Tables should be double-spaced; please use Word’s table functions. Figures must be black and white only and production-ready. Because most art will be reduced to fit, use bold type that is large enough to be reduced and still be readable, and make sure rules/tick marks are at least 1 pt. It is the author’s responsibility to obtain written permission for material (e.g., figures, tables, extensive quotes) taken directly or adapted from another source. Payment of any fees the copyright holder may require is also the author’s responsibility. Material taken from software or from the Internet also requires obtaining permission. Failure to obtain permission will result in removal of the item or the article. Use endnotes sparingly if at all. Number with Arabic numerals starting with 1 and continuing through the article. NO footnotes. 

Submission Process

• Manuscripts are submitted through the OJS Online Submission Portal (to be hosted on the IMA site)

• Submissions must include a cover page with author(s) name, affiliation and contact information

• All identifying information should be removed from the main manuscript for blind peer review

Ethical Standards

Authors must affirm:

• Original work not under consideration elsewhere

• Proper ethical approval for any human subjects research

• Adherence to APA’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA, 2017)

• Disclosure of any conflicts of interest or funding sources

Plagiarism

All manuscripts are screened using plagiarism detection software (e.g., iThenticate). Plagiarism—including self-plagiarism—will result in immediate rejection.

Conflict of Interest

Authors must disclose financial, personal, or professional relationships that could be perceived as influencing their work. Editorial decisions will be made independent of such relationships.