Center for the Transformation of Schools

This report includes findings from the CA MTSS Phase 2A Pilot Project’s Year 3 and Phase 2B Pilot Project’s Year 1 of participation qualitative data collection and analysis. In this report, we share findings from analysis across 35 schools from 26 districts in California as they implement the MTSS framework at the school site level. For the past five years, CTS has been leading a statewide CA MTSS pilot program to support schools in building positive school climates by ensuring that all students’ academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs are met. Our team has been exploring how educators implement the CA MTSS framework and how educators think about—and address—discipline disparities apparent by race. Students of color—especially Black and American Indian students—are more likely to experience lower achievement outcomes than their white peers; and are more likely to receive punitive, exclusionary discipline (e.g., suspensions) than their peers for the same behaviors. The project is co-led by Orange County Department of Education, Butte County Office of Education, and the University of California, Los Angeles Center for the Transformation of Schools (UCLA CTS). Learn more on the CTS website.