Working Together:
Social and Emotional Learning and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports
Social and Emotional Learning and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports
In recent years, states, districts, and schools across the country began using a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) to organize and deliver academic and behavioral support for students. At its core, MTSS serves as a framework to support practitioners in using data to ensure that all students are equipped with the academic and behavioral skills they need to succeed. Education leaders are increasingly interested in explicitly incorporating social and emotional learning (SEL) within the MTSS framework. This interest is motivated by the desire to more intentionally connect academics and behavior to build equitable systems that ensure all students receive the support they need to succeed. To create a shared understanding of student success, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) created a community of practice to facilitate collaboration within state education agencies (SEAs) to ensure alignment and coherence when explicitly connecting SEL within the MTSS framework. The nine states — Alabama, Hawai’i, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island and Virginia – collaborated over a period of 10 months and were supported by CCSSO and CASEL throughout the process.
CCSSO, CASEL and the American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) developed a toolkit to support policymakers and state and district leaders in other states who are interested in engaging in the work of intentional SEL and MTSS integration. The toolkit was developed with the support of the Learning Policy Institute (LPI) and in collaboration with leaders the nine community of practice states. Incorporating lessons learned from leading states, practical guidance, and adaptable templates, the toolkit addresses five key questions to support state and district leaders in advancing equitable, integrated SEL and MTSS. Access the toolkit here.
The Effective Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Whole Child Development webisode series will support states in the process of integrating social-emotional learning and whole child development more fully into their multi-tiered system of supports frameworks to ensure alignment with existing priorities, systems and practices and ultimately provide coherent messaging and support to districts and schools.
Webisode #1: Creating a Comprehensive Framework to Support Whole Child Development
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 2 -3 p.m. ET
This webisode focused on the importance of thinking holistically about the whole child in educational settings and the effects of positive school climate, social-emotional learning and productive teaching strategies on achievement. It also provided an overview, reflection and lessons learned from a nine-state community of practice on integrating SEL into MTSS frameworks. Guest speakers included:
A recording of this webisode is available here.
Webisode #2: Systems to Support Whole Child Development – MTSS/ SEL – Why Integrate Systems?
Monday, September 20, 2021 at 2 – 3 p.m. ET
In July, CCSSO released a joint toolkit with AIR and CASEL on intentional SEL and MTSS integration. This webisode will feature a dialogue between AIR’s Dr. Dia Jackson, a lead author of the toolkit and CASEL’s Justina Schlund, on why integrating SEL into MTSS is an effective approach to support the whole child and considerations for states and districts taking this step. In addition, we’ll hear from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) on their efforts to ensure the state’s MTSS is clearly defined and aligned to their work to advance SEL and PBIS through their MI MTSS Practice Profile which addresses the whole child, including cognitive, physical, behavioral, social and emotional development.
Register for this webisode here.
