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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Principal Office Hours
Real principals. Real talk. No hall passes required.
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About your hosts

CheeTung Leong

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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.