MTSS for Social Justice: An ImproveCrit Analysis of a School’s Approach to Continuous Improvement

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 9:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Building Inclusive Futures: Culturally Competent Leadership and Critical Perspectives for Student Flourishing

Abstract

Multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) is an overarching framework aimed to improve learning and student outcomes through tiered levels of evidence-based supports in K-12 schools. However, MTSS implementation and effectiveness have varied due to hindering factors such as competing priorities and lack of resources. However, critical MTSS researchers have argued that the racial-neutral approach to MTSS is a key hindering factor impacting the outcomes for students from marginalized backgrounds. This exploratory case study aims to understand how staff from a social justice-focused public school implements and improves their MTSS. Additionally, this study introduces and explores the utility of ImproveCrit—a social justice framework for continuous improvement–for researchers and practitioners committed to advancing social justice.

Author

• Rebekah Kang, Loyola Marymount University