Success in school and in life is not about being the smartest in the room; it’s about how well you can manage yourself and navigate the challenges you face every day.  Executive functioning—the ability to manage tasks, time, and emotions—plays a crucial role in students’ growth and learning. But what is the best way to help students develop these skills? One key lies in enhancing our own executive functioning skills, creating an environment in which we intentionally practice and model these soft skills in our daily interactions with students and colleagues. 

It’s your job to pull all the pieces together—and WOW are there a lot of pieces! From curriculum planning and enrollment management, to staffing and addressing the diverse needs of students and teachers, to connecting with the community and advocating for your campus. Underneath it all is a well of data that can inform your next steps. Using data effectively is a crucial leadership skill.  Academic assessments, intervention monitoring, attendance and behavioral data help you make informed decisions that drive school improvement and boost student success …. IF you know what to look at, how, and when. 

Do some groups of students in your district remain at higher risk for academic failure or harsh discipline, despite the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) you’ve worked so hard to put in place? If so, screening and tiering practices may be part of the problem . . . and part of the solution!

Curriculum changes, unfamiliar technology platforms, shiny new devices, ambitious district initiatives—sound familiar to you? Starting a new school year often feels like trying to juggle while riding a roller coaster! 

Implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) can transform the school environment, fostering behavioral and academic success. Here’s an example of how one high school achieved this and how you can too!

As a 4th grade teacher, it was challenging to ensure each student received the needed support. Creating effective intervention plans was complicated, time-consuming, and not always data-driven. After much trial and error and research, I adapted my approach to be more effective and less overwhelming.

Here’s what I learned about the essentials of crafting effective intervention plans, and how Branching Minds can simplify this process, making it easier for teachers to create impactful plans.

"We have to think about tutoring as part of the MTSS structures. It’s one more tool in the toolbox, ensuring consistent and reliable support for students."​ - Janet Wilson, Littera Education.

 “I’ve never seen anything like it!” 

According to data from the American Enterprise Institute and EdWeek Research Center, school districts across the country are reporting sharp and consistent increases in chronic absenteeism and behavior problems, both of which are negatively impacting academic achievement. While many districts believe these problems are a result of the pandemic, the fact remains these are serious problems that require real-time interventions to get students back on track.

Watch the On-Demand Recording 

Ever spend your lunch break scrambling to find the data you need or to document the work you’ve already completed? For teachers everywhere, time is the resource they need most but never have enough of. One major time drain is the endless data collection and analysis required to plan and track student interventions. For administrators looking to lighten this load, Branching Minds offers a game-changing solution that saves teachers time and helps them focus more on what they love—teaching!