1. Systemic Student Support (S3) Academy
Informational Webinar
October 11, 2018

2. Agenda 01 S3 Academy: Background & Overview 02 Key Dates & Activities03
District Teams
Agenda 04
Self-Assessing S3 Indicators &
Implementation Plan 05
Application Requirements 06
Points of Clarification & Questions

3. Why are we here? 
Students increasingly face a range of academic, behavioral, social- emotional, and wellness-related opportunity and achievement barriers.
As a result, there is a strong need to further develop school and district capacity to develop, secure, and coordinate supports that build upon students’ and families’ strengths and address barriers to learning .
Research conducted nationally and within Massachusetts demonstrates that when schools effectively close these gaps by providing students with comprehensive supports that are integrated alongside instruction, students can thrive academically (regardless of socioeconomic status).

4. Background: Foundational Initiatives & Partners
DESE’s Core (“Heart”) Strategy: Supporting SEL, Health, & Safety
Safe & Supportive Schools (Commission, Framework & Initiatives)
MTSS Academies
S3 Academy Partners

5. Goals & Expected Outcomes:
S3 Academy Overview
Goals & Expected Outcomes:
Increase understanding of integrated/systemic student support approach & best practices
Support districts in self-assessing current student support systems, practices & resources
Help districts develop an implementation plan to strengthen their student support systems & establish measurable outcomes (and/or integrate into existing plans – e.g., school or district improvement plans, Safe & Supportive School plan, etc.)
Build learning community of educators in MA K-8 schools where participants learn about each other’s experiences and practices

6. S3 Academy Overview (continued)
Key Activities:
Three full-day workshops, facilitated by Rennie & COSS
Two virtual convenings to support self-assessment & planning
Ongoing targeted support & technical assistance
Eligible Participants:
District teams of 3-4 schools serving grades K-8
Elementary, elementary + middle, or middle
At least one school serving elementary students
Very small districts may propose including only two schools
Priority consideration given to districts serving schools identified as needing broad/comprehensive or targeted/focused support

7. S3 Academy Timeline Date Activity Oct. 26, 2018 Applications due
Week of Nov. 5, 2018
Follow-up calls with applicants, as needed
Week of Nov. 13, 2018
Academy participants selected and notified
Dec. 12, 2018 (tentative)
Workshop 1:
Understanding integrated/systemic student support approaches & best practices
January TBD
Virtual Convening: 
Introducing S3 self-assessment indicators and process
February TBD
Workshop 2:
Self-assessing against S3 indicators & initial planning
March TBD
Virtual Convening:
S3 implementation planning
April TBD
Workshop 3:
Refining plans & establishing outcomes

8. 3-4 schools serving grades K-8 (ES, ES+MS, or MS)
District Teams
3-4 schools serving grades K-8 (ES, ES+MS, or MS)
Team composition:
One district leader, decision-making authority on student support work
At least three team members per school, including:
Administrator with decision-making authority (e.g. principal, asst. principal)
General educator (e.g. teacher)
Student-support related staff (e.g. school counselor)
Other team members may include additional student support staff or additional classroom teachers, special education or EL staff, a family representative, a community partner, etc.

9. Self-Assessing against S3 Indicators
Examination of the existing conditions & structures in your school or district that can be built upon to establish a systemic approach to student support
Common in- and out-of-school barriers to learning
Strengths & assets of students, families, and school/district
Leadership & teaming structures
Existing student information collected
Existing student support resources, processes & practices
Existing partnerships with community agencies/institutions

10. S3 Implementation Planning
An actionable plan that builds directly upon learnings and discussions from workshops, including insights from S3 Self- Assessment process
Concrete, feasible & targeted in scope
Establishes specific, measurable outcomes
Reflects variations in schools within a district
Where appropriate, integrated into existing plans (e.g., school or district improvement plans, Safe & Supportive School plans, etc.)

11. Estimated Commitment 
3 full-day, in-person workshops
2 web sessions
Time outside of workshops 
Completing process to self-assess against S3 indicators
Development & refinement of S3 Implementation Plan
Pending funding and interest, participate in 2nd year of implementation support 
Brief pre & post surveys

12. Application Requirements
No more than 5 pages:
Identify lead applicant from district
Describe district context & background
Identify 3-4 participating schools
Identify proposed S3 Academy team members
Articulate goals for participating in S3 Academy
Describe current & upcoming efforts to improve student support
Assurances from superintendent
See detailed criteria & guidance in application

13. Points of Clarification
This work is aligned with and complementary to the Safe & Supportive Schools Framework and Initiatives (particularly for schools/districts that have identified “Access to Services” as an area of need). However, all schools meeting eligibility criteria are welcome to apply for the S3 Academy (even if they haven’t received a Safe & Supportive Schools grant).
Participation in the S3 Academy does not mean signing up to partner with City Connects.
Participation in the S3 Academy does not mean you need to buy or subscribe to a specific curriculum or student support service model.

14. Questions
Questions?

15. Rebecca Shor, Director, Systems for Student Success Office
Thank you!
Thank you!
Rebecca Shor, Director, Systems for Student Success Office
75 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148