Episode 391

full
Published on:

18th Apr 2025

MTSS-in-Action #1: Foundations - Stop Treating Symptoms, Fix The Root Cause

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Moises Merlos, Director of Student Services at Banning Unified School District in California, as they explore the district’s comprehensive approach to supporting students through a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). This insightful conversation delves into how Banning Unified addresses academics, behavior, attendance, and social-emotional learning with coordinated efforts across schools and district offices. 

Key Takeaways:

  • MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) is a comprehensive framework addressing academics, behavior, attendance, and social-emotional learning to support students holistically.
  • While most districts are strong academically, attendance, behavior, and social-emotional supports have become critical areas needing reinforcement, especially post-pandemic.
  • Effective MTSS requires deep understanding of existing programs, clear division of roles among staff (counselors, principals, attendance clerks), and strong coordination across these roles.
  • Communication and intentional training are essential so that all staff understand how attendance, behavior, and social-emotional factors interrelate and impact student success.
  • The focus is on identifying root causes of issues (e.g., poor attendance) rather than just addressing symptoms like discipline.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:30 Overview of Banning Unified School District and Community Context

4:15 Understanding MTSS: Academics, Behavior, Attendance, and Social-Emotional Learning

8:40 The Impact of the Pandemic on Attendance, Behavior, and SEL Supports

12:30 Aligning MTSS Programs and Dividing Roles Among Staff

17:45 Importance of Holistic Student Support and Root Cause Analysis

22:50 Communication and Training Across Counselors, Principals, and Support Staff

28:30 Overcoming Challenges: Staff Turnover and Consistent Messaging

33:45 Building a Support System and Coordination Within Schools

38:20 The Role of Principals as Conductors of MTSS Efforts

43:00 Adapting MTSS to Different School Levels and Settings

48:15 Reflection on the Complexity and Importance of MTSS for Student Success


Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Dr. Moises Merlos: linkedin.com/in/moises-merlos-ed-d-81a7b279

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



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Engaging Leadership
Uncovering stories and strategies behind successful educational leadership
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About your hosts

CheeTung Leong

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I'm committed to helping people live their best lives through work.

I'm one of the co-founders of EngageRocket, an HRTech SaaS startup and we are focused on helping organizations build empowered managers, engaged employees, and elite teams.

I'm a big nerd when it comes to economics and psychology and regularly use data and tech to help folks live their best lives.

I've been recognized by Prestige Magazine as one of the top 40 under 40 business leaders and have been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and Tech in Asia.

Jim Kanichirayil

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Your friendly neighborhood talent strategy nerd is the producer and co-host for The HR Impact Show. He's spent his career in sales and has been typically in startup b2b HRTech and TA-Tech organizations.

He's built high-performance sales teams throughout his career and is passionate about all things employee life cycle and especially employee retention and turnover.