In this episode, Larissa interviews Ashley Pennell, a Senior Customer Success Manager at Branching Minds, about the overlap between MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) and special education. They discuss the confusion surrounding these two concepts and how they work together. The conversation concludes with strategies for administrators to help teachers understand the role of special education in the MTSS process.

Takeaways
MTSS is a framework for supporting all students and setting up equitable practices, while special education is a service within the MTSS framework.
Data analysis plays a crucial role in both MTSS and special education, helping to identify students who may need additional support or evaluation for a disability.
Challenges in implementing MTSS as an administrator include the siloed approach to education, lack of universal screening processes, and the need for training and resources.
Strategies for administrators include starting with equitable practices like universal screening, utilizing the expertise of special education teachers and school psychologists, and fostering open conversations about MTSS and special education.

Check out these resources: https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/mtss-special-education 
https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-sped-guide 

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0)  Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

Ask an Expert – Are MTSS and SPED the Same Thing?

In this conversation, Larissa and her guest, Whitley, discuss the importance of schools in the community and how educators can lead the transformation of school-community relationships. They emphasize the need for schools to be viewed as community hubs and highlight the impact that can be achieved through shared goals and stakeholder involvement. They also explore specific ways in which schools can engage with the community, such as partnering with local businesses and organizations, hosting events outside of the school building, and leveraging resources like public libraries. The conversation underscores the significance of building strong connections between schools and the community to support the holistic development of students.

Takeaways:
- Schools should be viewed as community hubs, bringing together various stakeholders and resources to create a sense of partnership and shared goals.
- Engaging with the community can have a positive impact on students, families, and educators, fostering a network of support and investment.
- Building bridges with the community requires intentional efforts, such as seeking out partnerships, hosting events outside of the school building, and leveraging existing resources.
- School culture plays a crucial role in community engagement, and it is important to prioritize the heart work of education alongside curriculum and instruction.

Check out these resources:
- National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments: Family-School-Community Partnerships: https://bit.ly/3wlqYLx 
- School-Community Learning Partnerships: Essential to Expanded Learning Success: https://bit.ly/3uI7jor 
- https://bit.ly/48q4zK2 
- Branching Minds Guide for Community and Families: https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-guide-for-families 


Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0)  Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

EduHotTake – Schools Should Be a Community Hub!

In this episode, host, Larissa, explores the concept of fidelity monitoring in MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports). Fidelity monitoring refers to the consistent implementation of interventions and assessments to ensure student progress. Larissa highlights the importance of fidelity in intervention implementation and the challenges that can arise when fidelity is lacking. It also discusses the role of fidelity monitoring at the school level and provides strategies for supporting staff and improving fidelity. 

Takeaways:
Fidelity monitoring is crucial in MTSS to ensure the consistent implementation of interventions and assessments.
Common challenges to student progress include selecting the wrong intervention, student absences or behavioral issues, and lack of critical features in intervention implementation.
Fidelity monitoring at the school level involves regular observation and feedback, self-evaluation, and reflection.
Supporting staff and improving fidelity requires the use of fidelity rubrics, direct observation, and adequate training and follow-up.

Resources:
MTSS Implementation Fidelity Reference Guide: https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-implemetation-fidelity-guide 
https://www.branchingminds.com/mtss-guide 

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0)  Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

MTSS Explained: What Does Fidelity Monitoring Mean for MTSS Interventions?

Lindsey Helton, an elementary school principal, discusses the importance of attendance and shares strategies for addressing attendance issues. She emphasizes the need for a strong home-school connection and student-led conferences to empower students and improve attendance. Lindsey also highlights the challenges of high mobility and the importance of treating people with respect and assuming positive intent. She believes that elementary education is the foundation for future success and encourages schools to focus on getting students on grade level. 

Resources:
Attendance Works: https://www.attendanceworks.org/ 
Student Led Conferences: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-led-conferences-resources-ashley-cronin 
Additional Reading: https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/mtss-in-tracking-and-supporting-student-attendance 

Takeaways: 
--Building a strong home-school connection is crucial for addressing attendance issues.
--Student-led conferences empower students and improve attendance.
--High mobility can be a challenge in addressing attendance.
--Treating people with respect and assuming positive intent is foundational to effective leadership.
--Elementary education is the foundation for future success and should focus on getting students on grade level.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0)  Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

What Can We Do About Attendance?

Dr. Essie Sutton, the Director of Learning Science at Branching Minds, discusses the connection between student mental health and academic performance. It is well-established that these two factors are deeply connected, with poor mental health impacting a student's ability to focus and engage in learning. This relationship is bi-directional, with academic performance also influencing mental health. However, there are barriers to addressing mental health issues in schools, such as limited resources and a focus on academic priorities. 

Resources:
Read-- https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/supporting-students-social-emotional-behavioral-needs-referrals-interconnected-systems-framework 
Watch-- https://www.branchingminds.com/webinars/integrating-mtss-and-mental-health-supports 

Takeaways:
-Student mental health and academic performance are deeply connected, with poor mental health impacting a student's ability to focus and engage in learning.
-The relationship between mental health and academic performance is bi-directional, with academic performance also influencing mental health.
-Barriers to addressing mental health issues in schools include limited resources and a focus on academic priorities.
-Creative approaches like flexible scheduling and wellness centers can help address mental health issues in schools.
-Allocating funds for mental health initiatives is crucial, but focusing on implementing one initiative at a time is important for effective implementation.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0)  Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

Ask an Expert: Why Mental Health in Schools is a Big Deal

In this conversation, Larissa and Lindsay discuss the role of arts and elective classes in developing the whole child. They highlight the importance of belonging and connectedness, shared experiences and a sense of responsibility, learning soft skills and reinforcing job skills, overcoming challenges and building resilience, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, and learning life skills and the consequences of choices. They emphasize the significance of electives and arts classes in providing a more robust educational experience and acknowledge the impact of teachers in creating safe spaces for students.

Resources:
Article: https://www.branchingminds.com/blog/4-ways-electives-and-arts-classes-support-mtss 

Takeaways:
--Arts and elective classes provide opportunities for students to work with their creativity, develop self-expression, and foster a sense of belonging.
--These classes offer a safe space for students to explore their interests and develop a shared sense of responsibility.
--Electives and arts classes help students learn soft skills and reinforce job skills that are important for their future professional lives.
--Students in these classes learn to overcome challenges, build resilience, and develop critical thinking and emotional intelligence.
--The experiences and skills gained in electives and arts classes contribute to the development of the whole child and should be valued in education.

Learn more about MTSS and Branching Minds by visiting our website Branchingminds.com, or Sign up for our weekly newsletter on all things MTSS with this link. (https://hubs.la/Q02g9lwV0)  Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

EdHotTake – Arts and Electives Classes, a Forgotten Element in MTSS?

Schoolin' Around is a weekly podcast hosted by Branching Minds, featuring prominent leaders, subject-matter experts, and thought innovators with their perspectives on the current challenges facing K-12 education.

You can find more info about Branching Minds at our website, branchingminds.com or follow on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn @BranchingMinds.

Ask an Expert – Are MTSS and SPED the Same Thing?

Schoolin' Around by Branching Minds