How MTSS Supports College and Career Readiness for All Students

“Wait... what’s CCMR?”

That was the question I should have asked on day one as a brand-new Assistant Principal in Dallas, TX. But as a Chicago transplant eager to prove myself, I faked it, for three awkward days. When I finally asked my principal what CCMR meant, his answer, College, Career, and Military Ready, came with a side of skepticism, as if to say, How did we hire someone who doesn't know this? But once I realized CCMR was just Texas’s spin on CCR, a concept I was familiar with, I was ready to hit the ground running. I didn’t need to know every acronym to make an impact. I brought something powerful to the table: expertise in MTSS. 

Because no matter what we call it, CCR or CCMR, the mission remains the same: to ensure every student is prepared for life beyond high school. And MTSS? That’s the roadmap that gets us there.

Defining College and Career Readiness (CCR)

Preparing students for life beyond high school in today's fast-paced world demands more than academics. College and Career Readiness (CCR) is now a key focus, encompassing the diverse skills, knowledge, and behaviors vital for success in higher education and employment. I am thrilled to share with you my experiences on how a thoughtfully applied Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) acts as a forward-thinking and necessary structure for cultivating these fundamental CCR abilities.

College and Career Readiness (CCR) is more than just achieving a certain GPA or passing a standardized test. It encompasses a holistic approach to preparing students for their future pathways, whether that be college, vocational training, or direct entry into the workforce. CCR involves developing a wide range of skills and competencies, which can be categorized into several key areas:

1. Academic Skills

Academic skills serve as the foundation for success in both college and future careers. These skills extend beyond basic reading and math, encompassing the ability to understand complex concepts, draw connections across disciplines, and communicate effectively. To achieve College and Career Readiness (CCR), students must not only master core subjects but also develop the capacity for lifelong learning and advanced education, key traits for adaptability and personal growth. Additionally, critical thinking, the ability to thoughtfully analyze information and make informed decisions, is indispensable for their success in an ever-evolving world.

2. Soft Skills

Beyond academic skills are the soft skills that enable students to interact with others, manage situations and achieve their goals. 

• Cognitive skills are essential for learning and future success, including meta-cognition, self-regulation, and effective time and resource management. Students should be able to set goals, monitor their progress, and adapt their learning strategies.
• Thinking skills provide the mental tools for learning and concentration. Meta-cognition, the awareness of one's own thinking, allows students to identify strengths and areas for growth.
• Self-control, including attention management, is crucial, and the effective use of time and resources enables students to achieve their goals.
• Social skills, encompassing communication, collaboration, empathy, and resilience, are crucial for students. These skills enable them to work effectively in teams, navigate interpersonal relationships, and manage their emotions successfully in diverse situations.
• Social and emotional skills like clear speaking, active listening, and collaboration help students interact positively and manage their emotions. Understanding others' feelings builds teamwork and leadership, while resilience helps them overcome challenges.

3. Career Readiness Skills

These skills focus on career awareness, exploration, and planning. It is important that we prepare students daily with the knowledge, experiences, and qualities needed for smooth transitions into the workforce or higher education.

• Career awareness: Helping students explore a wide range of career options beyond the usual choices. Learning about different industries, job roles, and daily tasks can reveal new possibilities they may not have considered.
  
• Career exploration: An active process where students investigate their interests, talents, and values to find potential career fits. This can involve research, talking to professionals, shadowing workers, and attending career events. The aim is to help students link their personal characteristics with possible career fields, creating a sense of purpose and direction.
  
• Career planning: Turning these insights into concrete actions. This involves setting career goals, developing necessary skills, and understanding the education and training needed for their chosen fields. Practical skills such as creating resumes, writing cover letters, practicing interviews, and networking are key parts of this stage, preparing students for seeking jobs or further education.

Career readiness goes beyond specific skills to include essential professional qualities. By developing these varied career readiness skills, educators enable students to confidently and successfully navigate their future academic and professional paths.

• Professionalism, which includes being on time, having good communication skills, and acting ethically, is crucial for success in any workplace or academic setting. 
• Responsibility, including being accountable, taking initiative, and having a strong work ethic, shows a student's dedication and reliability. 
• Adaptability is increasingly important in today's rapidly changing job market and educational landscape. The ability to learn new skills, accept change, and handle uncertainty ensures long-term success. 

4. Civic Engagement

College and Career Readiness also includes preparing students to be informed and active participants in their communities and democratic society, a critical focus in today's world.

• Civic engagement helps students become responsible citizens by understanding democratic processes, raising awareness of societal issues, and building informed decision-making skills.
• Community involvement also allows students to contribute meaningfully to society. This aspect of CCR ensures graduates are ready for their futures and equipped to engage with and improve their communities.

The Alignment of MTSS and CCR

MTSS plays a crucial role in college and career planning by providing a framework for supporting students’ academic, social-emotional, and career development. MTSS helps students:

• Identify their strengths and interests
• Develop the skills necessary for success in college and career
• Make informed decisions about their post-secondary paths
• Access the resources and support they need to achieve their goals
  

Recognizing that a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is a proactive and preventative framework integrating academic and behavioral supports to address the diverse needs of all students, it became clear to me very early that MTSS and the development of College and Career Readiness skills are perfectly aligned. MTSS offers a structured, data-driven approach essential for fostering student growth in CCR.

My immediate goal in my new Assistant Principal role was to demonstrate to the administrative team how MTSS was the key to unlocking CCR (or CCMR). Fortunately, they gave me and my hour-long presentation a chance. I effectively illustrated the power and positive impact MTSS would have on college and career initiatives, leading to a shared understanding and commitment among our leadership team.

This vision highlighted the importance of a shared language and framework for integrating MTSS and CCR, backed by ongoing coaching. The explanation below guided school discussions and clarified how each MTSS tier enhances students' CCR opportunities.

Tier 1: Universal Instructions

At the Tier 1 level, ALL students receive high-quality, evidence-based instruction and support. This ensures that every student is exposed to the foundational skills necessary for CCR.

• Academic Skills: Core instruction follows state standards with engaging, differentiated lesson plans that address diverse learning needs. Teachers use varied strategies, flexible grouping, and choice-based tasks to promote critical thinking and problem-solving. Embedded formative assessments provide data to identify areas where students need extra support to master key content.

• Soft Skills: Teachers use classroom management strategies to teach and reinforce self-regulation and organization. Engaging lessons include opportunities for goal setting and self-reflection, while data from planning activities can identify students needing extra support with executive functioning skills essential for future success. School-wide PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Supports) promotes a positive climate and teaches social-emotional skills through engaging activities and explicit instruction, reinforced by teachers throughout the day. Observing student interactions during collaborative tasks helps identify those who may need additional support in communication or teamwork, critical for college and career readiness.

• Career Readiness Skills: Career exploration is integrated into the curriculum through interactive lessons, connecting students to various career pathways and skills. Teachers and counselors collaborate to support this process, using career interest surveys and activities to identify students who may need additional guidance in exploring options suited to their strengths and interests.
  

Resources to Check Out ➡️

📕 4 Ways Electives and Arts Classes Support MTSS

📗 The Importance of Social-Emotional Learning in Secondary School

Tier 2: Targeted Supports

Tier 2 offers targeted support for students needing extra help, promoting early intervention to prevent learning gaps. It ensures students build essential skills for their post-high school goals, whether college, vocational training, military service, or entering the workforce. Most importantly, it fosters a growth mindset, encouraging students to set goals and improve without discouragement.

• Academic Skills: Small-group instruction and targeted interventions directly address specific learning gaps that could hinder a student's ability to succeed in college-level coursework or job training programs. By strengthening foundational skills in subjects like math, reading, and writing, students gain the confidence and competence needed to pursue further education or entry-level positions requiring these abilities.
• Soft Skills: Teaching time management and study skills equips students with key executive functioning abilities for college and the workplace. Students who can prioritize tasks and study effectively are better prepared for independence and responsibility. Small-group counseling and mentoring also foster social-emotional growth, vital for college life, collaborative careers, and overall well-being. Skills like communication, teamwork, and resilience help students build relationships, resolve conflicts, and adapt to new environments after high school.
• Career Readiness Skills: Individualized career counseling and exploration activities at this tier offer more in-depth guidance to help students identify their interests, aptitudes, and potential career paths. This targeted support ensures students gain a clearer understanding of the educational requirements, necessary skills, and typical responsibilities associated with various careers, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their future academic and professional pursuits.
  

Resources to Check Out ➡️

🛠️ The Executive Function Toolkit

🎧 Teaching Executive Functioning Skills for Middle & High School Success

Tier 3: Intensive Supports

Tier 3 intensive, individualized interventions are vital to ensure that students with significant needs can achieve College and Career Readiness (CCR). These tailored supports help students build self-advocacy skills, access necessary resources, and understand their strengths and growth areas. With this foundation, they can confidently navigate academic and professional environments, fostering resilience and the belief that success is within reach.

• Academic Skills: Intensive individualized instruction and specialized support can be tailored to address significant learning gaps, providing targeted remediation and alternative learning strategies. This ensures students with intensive needs develop foundational academic skills crucial for accessing post-secondary education, vocational training, or entry-level employment, fostering a sense of accomplishment and opening doors to future opportunities.
• Cognitive Skills: Highly individualized strategies for improving executive functioning skills, such as time management, organization, and self-regulation, can empower students with intensive needs to navigate the demands of post-secondary settings. Explicit instruction, assistive technologies, and ongoing support can help them develop the meta-cognitive skills necessary for independent learning and problem-solving, leading to greater self-sufficiency and success in achieving their goals.
• Social-Emotional Skills: Individual therapy and intensive social-emotional support address significant challenges in areas like communication, social interaction, and emotional regulation. Developing these skills is essential for building positive relationships, navigating social situations in college, the workplace, or community settings, and managing stress and adversity, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and ability to thrive in diverse environments.
• Career Readiness Skills: In-depth career assessments and personalized career planning can help students with intensive needs identify their strengths, interests, and potential career paths, even if traditional options seem limited. Tailored guidance, vocational training, job coaching, and connections with disability support services can facilitate successful transitions into meaningful employment or specialized post-secondary programs, fostering independence and a sense of purpose. 

Related Resources:

📗 Building an Engaging Tier 3 Support in MTSS

🎧 Why Emotional Intelligence and SEL Skills Are Key to Student Success

Planning Student College and Career Paths Through MTSS Collaboration

Comprehending the connection between MTSS and CCR (or CCMR) was just the initial step. Establishing effective teams to enact, implement, and elevate this work was the crucial next phase.

MTSS teams foster collaboration between teachers, counselors, families, and students. This collaborative approach ensures everyone is working together to support student success and achievement of CCR.

➡️Collaboration Between Educators

MTSS teams include teachers, specialists, counselors, and administrators who work together to develop and implement interventions. This collaboration ensures students receive comprehensive support

➡️Engagement with Families

MTSS encourages family involvement in the educational process. Families are kept informed of their student’s progress and are provided with resources and support to help their student succeed.  

➡️Student Voice and Agency

MTSS empowers students to take ownership of their learning and career planning. Students are involved in setting goals, monitoring their progress, and making decisions about their post-secondary paths.

What Roles do Educators, Students, and Community Members Play in College, Career, and Military Readiness?

• Administrators: Champion the integration of CCR into the school-wide vision and allocate resources (e.g., funding for career programs, staff time for collaboration). They can establish partnerships with community organizations and businesses at a systemic level.
• Counselors: Lead career exploration activities, provide individual and group counseling on post-secondary options, connect students with resources (e.g., financial aid, college applications), and facilitate internships and job shadowing opportunities. They can act as the central hub for career-related information.
• Teachers: Integrate CCR concepts into their curriculum, provide foundational skills and knowledge relevant to various career pathways, collaborate with counselors on career-related activities, and offer insights into students' strengths and areas for growth based on classroom performance.
• Social Workers/School Psychologist: Address social-emotional and/or behavioral barriers that may hinder career exploration and planning, connect families with community resources (e.g., job training programs, support services), and advocate for student needs. They play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to opportunities.
• Parents/Guardians: Provide valuable insights into their child's interests, strengths, and values. They can actively participate in career planning meetings, support exploration activities at home, and leverage their own networks for potential opportunities.
• Students: Take an active role in identifying their interests and goals, participating in career exploration activities, and advocating for their needs. Their voice is essential in creating relevant and engaging career pathways.
• Community Businesses: Offer real-world learning experiences through internships, job shadowing, mentorship programs, and guest speaker opportunities. They can provide valuable insights into industry needs and skill requirements.
• Community Organizations: Offer support services, resources for overcoming barriers to employment, and connections to local job opportunities, particularly for students with significant needs. 

The population we saw the largest increase in CCR was our Deaf Education population. By utilizing MTSS we enhanced college and career readiness for our deaf education students through targeted strategies. Initiatives included visual learning techniques, tailored communication tools, social-emotional support, and assistive technology. Mentorship programs connected Deaf students with successful Deaf adults for guidance and networking, while internships and guest speakers provided career exposure. These efforts empowered students by fostering self-advocacy, confidence, career awareness, and smooth transitions to education and employment.

Strategies for CCMR Collaboration:

• Regular Cross-Functional Team Meetings: Hold regular meetings with representatives from each stakeholder group to discuss student progress, share resources, and brainstorm opportunities. We combined siloed department meetings into monthly grade-level cohort meetings.
• Organized Career Events: Collaborate on career fairs, industry-specific presentations, field trips, guest speakers for individual classrooms/departments/grade levels, and workshops that involve community businesses and organizations.
• Mentorship Programs: Pair students with professionals from the community for guidance, support, and exposure to different career paths based on their interests.
• Internship and Job Shadowing Coordination: Develop a streamlined process for connecting students with local businesses and organizations offering experiential learning opportunities based on their interests.
  

  Branching Minds simplifies this by centralizing data, providing a clear view of student progress and needs. It enables seamless collaboration between teachers, counselors, administrators, and families, ensuring everyone is aligned in supporting students. All interactions and interventions are documented, creating a valuable record to inform better decisions over time.

• Shared Data and Communication Systems: Use systems to share student data (with privacy safeguards) and improve communication among stakeholders. 

• Parent and Community Engagement Initiatives: Host informational sessions and workshops for parents and community members on CCR and ways to support students towards their goals.
• Advisory Boards: Create advisory boards comprised of representatives from local businesses, post-secondary institutions, and community organizations to provide guidance on aligning curriculum and opportunities with future needs.

MTSS teams are perfectly positioned to create an ecosystem that empowers all students to explore their interests, develop necessary skills, and successfully transition into meaningful post-secondary pathways within their community and beyond.

How MTSS Drives Career and College Readiness

Although initially unfamiliar with the acronym CCMR, my understanding of MTSS and unwavering commitment to student success redeemed me. My administrative team's initial doubt about hiring the “Chicagoan” quickly dissolved as we worked together to implement MTSS as a vital structure for preparing students for the world beyond K-12.

MTSS ensures that every student has the opportunity to develop essential skills for college and career readiness. Through early and targeted intervention, robust collaboration among stakeholders, and personalized student supports, MTSS provides educators with the means to effectively guide students toward fulfilling and successful post-secondary pathways. This approach not only addresses academic needs but also cultivates the academic, social, and career readiness skills necessary for navigating the complexities of further education, the workforce, and civic life.