Behavioral, Social, and Emotional Support

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

What is a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)?
A Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is a model that school systems use to help all students in academic and non-academic areas. It serves as a roadmap that focuses on identifying challenges early and providing extra help to each student based on what they need. MTSS provides effective teaching practices through three levels: support for all students (Tier 1), support for small groups of students (Tier 2), and support for individual students (Tier 3). The MTSS model ensures that every student gets the help they need to do their best in all academics and non-academics at school.

Cleveland City Schools MTSS Vision Statement
Cleveland City Schools is committed to making sure every student does well in both academics and behavior using a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) that involves everyone – district leaders, school administrators, teachers, and parents. Through effective ways of teaching and decision-making, our focus is on preventing issues early and giving extra help when needed. This way, we make sure all students have a fair chance to do their best in all academic and non-academic areas at school.

ccs

Tennessee MTSS Model

Contact

Dr. Alicia Kahrs
Well-Being Specialist
akahrs@clevelandschools.org
423-250-5804

Social & Emotional Learning Curriculum:

Capturing Kids Hearts
Superflex: A Superhero Social Thinking
Zones of Regulations
DBT Skills in Schools for Teens

For More Information on Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support (PBIS):

Center on PBIS
TDOE RTI Framework

What is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS)?
PBIS is a part of the overarching MTSS, providing tiered behavior support for all students. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support (PBIS) is an evidence-based framework that schools can use to create a safe and positive learning environment for all students. It focuses on identifying, teaching, and reinforcing positive behaviors in students as well as using proactive strategies to address problematic behaviors. Overall, the purpose of PBIS is to improve outcomes—social, emotional, and academic—for every student. PBIS focuses on prevention over punishment by creating a behavioral system in which desired behaviors are taught and reinforced and undesired or problematic behaviors are discouraged.

What is Social and Emotional Learning?
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which all people acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

Why is Social and Emotional Learning Important?
SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities (CASEL). 

What are the 5 Social Emotional Core Competencies?

Self Awareness

Understanding one’s own feelings, emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Self Management

The ability to manage one’s feelings, emotions, thoughts, and actions/behaviors.

Social Awareness

The ability to understand the perspective of others (thoughts, feelings, actions) and empathize with others.

Relationship Skills

The ability to establish, maintain, and restore healthy and positive relationships with others.

Responsible Decision Making

The ability to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations.

Supporting Your Student at Home
Did you know that you are your child's first and most important teacher of social and emotional skills? As your child's first social emotional teacher, you have a unique opportunity to guide your child's emotional development from the very beginning, and continue to do so as they grow and mature.

“Parents and families are critical partners in helping their children develop social and emotional know-how. They can model the kinds of skills, attitudes, and behaviors we want all students to master. And they can be important advocates for SEL at school." -CASEL.org

Learn more about social and emotional learning in this video: What is SEL? CASEL Video

What is a Universal Behavior Screener?

Universal screening is an essential part of a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). A universal behavior screener is a valuable tool that helps our schools identify ways to improve the success of all students in the school environment. This screener provides important information that guides a school’s decisions about school-wide programming and resources. By understanding the collective needs of our student population, we can create a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes the well-being and success of all learners. Ultimately, this proactive approach ensures that every student feels safe, supported, and prepared to thrive both academically and socially.

What are the Benefits of Using a Universal Screener?

We believe supporting your child's social and emotional development is as important as their academic success. By implementing a universal screener along with our social and emotional learning programs, we are taking proactive steps to ensure every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive in school and beyond. Information from this tool will assist schools in providing universal social, academic, and emotional support for all students. This tool will help us create a more caring and inclusive school community where every child can reach their full potential.

Universal Behavior Screener - Family Information Guide and FAQs

Screener Family Info. Guide (English)
Screener Family Info. Guide (Spanish)
Frequently Asked Questions (English)
Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)

Questions?

If you have any questions about universal behavior screening, please refer to the FAQ document above or contact our Well-Being Specialist, Dr. Alicia Kahrs, at akahrs@clevelandschools.org. A copy of the universal behavior screening tool is available upon request.