The Relationship Between Academics and Behavior
A student's academic success is closely linked to their behavior and social/emotional skills. There is a significant body of research that supports this connection. Studies have shown that academic achievement affects behavior and vice versa. For instance, students who experience academic challenges are more likely to exhibit challenging behaviors (McIntosh & Goodman, 2016). Specifically, students with insufficient reading skills are more likely to show disruptive behavior in the classroom. The relationship between academics and behavior is reciprocal. Early challenges in behavior, such as social and emotional skill deficits or attention deficits, can lead to academic challenges. Similarly, early difficulties in academics, such as reading skill deficits, can lead to behavioral challenges like peer rejection, disruptive behavior, and anxiety. To address this, many schools have adopted a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework to meet the academic and behavioral needs of students.
What is MTSS?
In 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act called upon schools to support the academic and behavioral needs of their students through a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS). MTSS is a framework focused on prevention and early intervention that enables schools to provide academic and behavior instruction and intervention that is tailored to the individual needs of each student. It does so by using data to guide decision-making and problem-solving processes. MTSS is considered the "gold standard" for ensuring that all students receive high-quality, research-based instruction in academics and behavior, enabling them to reach their full potential and achieve success. Schools that follow a MTSS framework use a team of school-level individuals with diverse academic and non-academic expertise to ensure that all decisions related to students' academic and behavioral needs are proactive, responsive, and based on meaningful data.
MTSS in Cleveland City Schools
Cleveland City Schools has partnered with the Tennessee Tiered Supports Center (TN-TSC) at the University of Tennessee Knoxville to support the alignment of the academic and behavior tiered intervention frameworks in the district. This partnership has provided coaching and training to district and school staff in the four key areas of MTSS implementation: leadership, data-based decision-making, assessment, and instruction and intervention. Cleveland City Schools will maintain this partnership with the TN-TSC through the 2025-2026 school year with the goal of implementing a MTSS framework in all schools that supports the alignment of academic and behavior instruction and intervention.
Click here for more information about the Tennessee Tiered Supports Center
Click here for more information about the TDOE’s MTSS framework