Things You Can Do To Help Your Student

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is an educational framework designed to support the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students in schools. Parents play a crucial role in the success of MTSS by collaborating with educators to ensure that their child's needs are met effectively. Here are some ways parents can help with MTSS:

Listed below are things you can do to partner with your school's teachers and staff members to support your student.  Read them, then, follow the action steps provided to you after the list:

1. 1. Understand MTSS: 

Educate yourself about the MTSS framework, its goals, and how it works in your child's school. Attend meetings, workshops, or conferences that provide information on MTSS.

1. 2. Open Communication: 

Maintain open and regular communication with your child's teachers, counselors, and other school staff. Establish a positive and collaborative relationship with them.

1. 3. Advocate for Your Child: 

Be an advocate for your child's needs. If you believe your child requires additional support, don't hesitate to voice your concerns and work with the school to develop a plan that addresses those needs.

1. 4. Attend MTSS Meetings: 

Attend MTSS meetings when invited. These meetings often involve reviewing data and discussing your child's progress and any necessary adjustments to their support plan.

1. 5. Provide Input: 

Share your insights and observations about your child's learning style, strengths, and challenges. This information can help educators tailor their support to your child's unique needs.

1. 6. Collaborate on Interventions:

Work collaboratively with the school to develop and implement interventions that support your child's learning and behavior. Be willing to try different strategies and provide feedback on what works best.

1. 7. Monitor Progress: 

Regularly monitor your child's progress and discuss it with the school team. Be proactive in assessing whether the interventions are effective or if adjustments are needed.  Consistently check their notebooks, Google Classrooms, and Infinite Campus grades.

1. 8. Promote a Growth Mindset: 

Encourage a growth mindset in your child. Let them know that it's okay to face challenges and that they can overcome obstacles and improve.  When student's think they CAN'T learn or do a task, they give up.  We have to help them realize that they can grow and master any task with effort and support.

1. 9. Support Homework and Learning at Home: 

Create a conducive learning environment at home. Ensure your child has a quiet space to study, provide necessary materials, and offer support with homework and assignments.

Check your student's folders/notebooks, Google Classrooms, and your Infinite Campus Parent Portal daily to monitor his/her work and progress.  You want to see whether your student has completed his/her work daily and know what grades he/she is getting, so you can encourage and support your student.  

1. 10. Establish a Routine: 

Consistency can be beneficial for children. Establish a daily routine that includes time for checking Google Classroom assignments, Infinite Campus grades, homework, reading, and other educational activities.

1. 11. Set Realistic Expectations: 

Set achievable goals for your child. Understand their abilities and limitations, and work with the school to develop appropriate goals and expectations.

1. 12. Stay Informed: 

Keep up to date with your child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP), if applicable. Understand the goals, accommodations, and modifications outlined in the IEP.

1. 13. Promote Social-Emotional Well-being: 

Ensure your child's social and emotional needs are met. Encourage them to express their feelings and provide emotional support at home.

1. 14. Seek Outside Support: 

If necessary, seek support from outside resources, such as educational psychologists, counselors, or tutors to complement the support your child receives in school.

Follow these steps, and they will give you a greater chance of successfully supporting your student.

1. Identify the action items you are already doing for or with your student from the list above.

2. Identify the action items you aren't currently doing.

3. Determine which of the actions you are already doing can be, reasonably, done more often.

4. Determine which you can reasonably start doing.

5. Finally, choose ONE or TWO action items you will commit to doing more often or start doing for 1 to 2 months.

6. Praise your student and reward them for even the slightest gains.  Make sure they know you support them, see their improvements, and are proud of them.