Educators know that meetings are a big part of the job—especially MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) meetings, which are all about figuring out how to best support students who need extra help. But without proper planning and focus, these meetings can quickly go from being super helpful to feeling like a total waste of time.

Jodee Nelson, a Title 1 Coordinator and K-3 Reading Specialist from Lincoln County, Wyoming, with nearly 20 years of experience, recently shared her tips on how to make MTSS meetings more effective for both students and teachers. 

Close your eyes (while reading this may be difficult, but just play along)… and imagine stepping into a Student Support Team Meeting with an automated agenda rich with recent student academic and behavioral context. As you start the meeting, real-time note capture kicks in and summarizes your discussion with colleagues and parents. 

Together, your team creates a plan that is laser-focused on measurable student outcomes. The meeting ends with a review of the plan along with clear, organized next steps. 

Now open your eyes! This scenario is not a dream but a new reality, thanks to the Branching Minds Meeting Assistant.💡

If you’re like me, you have questions about how it works. So as we dig in, I’d like to share the Branching Minds approach to AI in education!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days—from students using ChatGPT to “help” with essays, to teachers finding creative ways to use it for lesson planning. So, what does AI really mean for educators, and how can it be a tool to make their lives easier rather than more complicated?

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!

"I've done this a lot with a lot of different platforms, but you guys are really top-notch. And I'm a band director, so I don't give compliments often so you know I mean it!"

- Matt Hawkes, Tech Director, Cloverleaf Local Schools, OH

Just about every department and role in a school district benefits from the Branching Minds platform! Branching Minds is a comprehensive MTSS solution designed to transform the way school districts support students, making the work of education both practical and sustainable. 

The ability to read with fluency and comprehension is THE foundational academic skill that leads to all others. Despite the importance, reading performance in the US has been stagnant for decades. In 2022, only 32% of 4th graders demonstrated proficiency in early literacy skills. 

It’s been an exciting, dynamic year for Branching Minds, thanks to you! The input and support of our district partners are the driving force behind every update and enhancement. We've come a long way, and with sincere gratitude, we toast our wonderful community of educators and celebrate our top improvements of the year. 

Just as your mechanic has the diagnostics and tools needed to keep your car running smoothly, Branching Minds has all the features you need to monitor and fine-tune your students’ learning plans!

Don’t you love a secret menu? Whether it's the Animal-Style Burger or the Butterbeer Blizzard, insiders know how to get the best out of their order. At Branching Minds, we don't really serve a secret menu, but we have created lots of delightful little features that help educators get their work done. We asked our customers to share the lesser-known features of Branching Minds that make their lives easier, and they served up a host of fan-favorites!