Massachusetts Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Academy

Challenge

Students grapple with academic and social pressures that can lead to mental and behavioral challenges, including depression, anxiety, violent behaviors, substance misuse, and suicide. A growing body of research shows that proactive support of students’ well-being prevents these negative impacts and improves their academic success and career readiness. While many schools, districts, and states recognize the need to provide these supports, they do not always have access to the training, resources, and infrastructure to do so.

To address this challenge, EDC is partnering with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to offer the Massachusetts Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Academy. The academy offers trainings, customized technical assistance (TA), and tools and resources focused on improving students’ well-being, positive behavior, and school success. Across the Commonwealth, EDC is working with school and district teams to build strong MTSS that are data-driven and sustainable.

Key Activities

EDC’s MA MTSS Academy provides school and district teams with a two-pronged model of support:

• Delivering targeted coaching:
  • Needs assessment, prioritization, and planning
  • Goal setting to help teams focus their efforts on strengthening MTSS structures and processes
  • Monthly coaching by experts

• Engaging teams in learning opportunities:
  • Two academy-wide convenings (fall and spring)
  • Webinars on cross-cutting themes and topics
  • Peer-sharing calls focused on specific challenges and topics of interest
  • On-demand brief content videos

Our Impact

• To date, the MA MTSS Academy has reached over 206,600 students in 170 schools from more than 90 districts across Massachusetts