{"id":28580,"date":"2026-01-07T12:40:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T18:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/?p=28580"},"modified":"2026-01-27T17:02:36","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T23:02:36","slug":"the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being\/","title":{"rendered":"The Evolving Role of MTSS in Supporting Student Well-Being"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being\/#mtss-is-doing-exactly-what-it-was-designed-to-do-and-still-feeling-the-strain\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">MTSS is Doing Exactly What it Was Designed to Do and Still Feeling the Strain<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being\/#mental-health-is-reshaping-the-mtss-landscape\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Mental Health is Reshaping the MTSS Landscape<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being\/#when-identification-outpaces-capacity\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">When Identification Outpaces Capacity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being\/#absenteeism-and-presenteeism-are-part-of-the-same-story\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Absenteeism and Presenteeism Are Part of the Same Story<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being\/#staff-feel-the-weight-of-the-system\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Staff Feel the Weight of the System<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being\/#why-this-moment-matters\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Why This Moment Matters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being\/#moving-forward-with-clarity\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">Moving Forward With Clarity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/timelycare.com\/blog\/the-evolving-role-of-mtss-in-supporting-student-well-being\/#references\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\" target=\"_self\">References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"28580\" class=\"elementor elementor-28580\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section data-dce-background-color=\"#C2D8EC\" class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a883e68 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"a883e68\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c0a050c ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"c0a050c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d52cc4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d52cc4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Overview<\/h3><p>As student mental health needs continue to rise, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) are playing a critical role in helping schools identify and respond to those challenges. While MTSS is effectively surfacing academic and emotional concerns earlier, many districts are struggling to keep pace with the volume and intensity of needs, especially at Tiers 2 and 3. Explore how mental health is reshaping the MTSS landscape and what district leaders can do to strengthen support pathways without overwhelming school teams.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bf244e6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"bf244e6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-bb7921b ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"bb7921b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c5fbca elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6c5fbca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><em>What K12 districts are seeing as student mental health needs continue to rise<\/em><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2bc2cce elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"2bc2cce\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c97f926 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"c97f926\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea57767 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"ea57767\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2740272 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"2740272\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e95fba8 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"e95fba8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcc4826 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fcc4826\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"mtss-is-doing-exactly-what-it-was-designed-to-do-and-still-feeling-the-strain\"><\/span>MTSS is Doing Exactly What it Was Designed to Do and Still Feeling the Strain<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>Across K12 education, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) have become the backbone for identifying student needs early, coordinating interventions by level of support, and addressing both academic and social emotional needs of students.<\/p><p>In many ways, MTSS is doing exactly what it was designed to do. Districts are identifying students earlier and more consistently, and they are surfacing needs that might once have gone unnoticed.<\/p><p>At the same time, even well-established systems are under growing strain.<\/p><p>National survey data and policy analyses show that districts across the country are seeing a steady rise in Tier 2 and Tier 3 referrals driven by anxiety, depression, school avoidance, and emotional dysregulation, while school-based staffing levels have remained flat or declined (<a href=\"https:\/\/ies.ed.gov\/learn\/press-release\/over-half-public-schools-report-staffing-and-funding-limit-their-efforts-effectively-provide-mental\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">NCES School Pulse Panel<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/mental-health\/issue-brief\/the-landscape-of-school-based-mental-health-services\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Kaiser Family Foundation<\/a>). As a result, school teams are being asked to respond to needs that are deeper, more complex, and more urgent than before.<\/p><p>This pressure reflects broader trends in pediatric mental health. National surveillance data shows that roughly one in five children experience a diagnosable mental health disorder in a given year, and nearly two in five meet criteria at some point before age 18, helping explain why districts are experiencing sustained increases in student need rather than short-term spikes (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/childrensmentalhealth\/data.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15585\/mmwr.su7102a1\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">MMWR Mental Health Surveillance of Children<\/a>).<\/p><p>The result is a widening gap between what MTSS is surfacing and what schools have the capacity to deliver.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5864ab4 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"5864ab4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d0f2e20 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"d0f2e20\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8fc5d9a ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"8fc5d9a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-850e359 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"850e359\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"mental-health-is-reshaping-the-mtss-landscape\"><\/span>Mental Health is Reshaping the MTSS Landscape<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>Today, districts are seeing a different pattern emerge through MTSS.<\/p><p>More students are struggling with:<\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Persistent anxiety and depression<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">School refusal and avoidance<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Trauma-related behaviors<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Emotional distress that interferes with learning, attendance, and peer relationships<\/li><\/ul><p>Pediatric prevalence data helps explain this shift. National studies show that anxiety and behavioral disorders are among the most common mental health concerns in school-age children, with rates of anxiety and depression increasing steadily through adolescence (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Comorbidity Survey Replication \u2013 Adolescent Supplement).<\/p><p>These challenges often require consistent, therapeutic support that most school-based teams cannot sustainably provide.<\/p><p>For MTSS teams, this shift creates difficult decisions. Students are identified with Tier 3 behavioral health needs, but pathways for follow-through are limited. Ensuring students and families are successfully connected to the right support remains challenging, particularly when access barriers and capacity constraints are involved.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-338a993 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"338a993\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e955f61 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"e955f61\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9c890cc ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"9c890cc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f197130 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f197130\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"when-identification-outpaces-capacity\"><\/span>When Identification Outpaces Capacity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>In conversations with district leaders, a consistent tension emerges: MTSS is effective at identifying students who need help, but far less effective at ensuring they receive timely, ongoing support.<\/p><p>School counselors and support staff carry large caseloads while also managing crisis response, compliance tasks, and family communication. Community-based providers often have long waitlists or limited availability. Families may face transportation, scheduling, or insurance barriers.<\/p><p>In practice, this can lead to a pattern many educators recognize:<\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">A student is identified and supported briefly<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Care is delayed or inconsistent after referral<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Symptoms can resurface or escalate<\/li><\/ul><p>Over time, this cycle strains staff, frustrates families, and leaves students without the stability they need to re-engage fully in school.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9a36978 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"9a36978\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b187544 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"b187544\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5979287 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"5979287\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-700ce8b elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"700ce8b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"absenteeism-and-presenteeism-are-part-of-the-same-story\"><\/span>Absenteeism and Presenteeism Are Part of the Same Story<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>Chronic absenteeism has become one of the most visible indicators of student distress. But districts are also noticing another trend: students who are physically present but emotionally disengaged.<\/p><p>Anxiety, depression, and emotional overwhelm can affect concentration, participation, and behavior even when students attend class. Teachers may see increased disruption or withdrawal. MTSS teams may see repeated referrals without a clear resolution.<\/p><p>Both absenteeism and presenteeism reflect unmet needs that traditional school-based supports alone are not equipped to address at scale.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-eb2d373 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"eb2d373\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d1497be ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"d1497be\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5be9a0c elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"5be9a0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d3a0f8 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4d3a0f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"staff-feel-the-weight-of-the-system\"><\/span>Staff Feel the Weight of the System<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>The pressure on MTSS systems does not fall on structures alone. It falls on people.<\/p><p>Counselors, nurses, administrators, and teachers often describe carrying the emotional burden of knowing students need more help than they can provide. District leaders face the responsibility of balancing student safety, staff well-being, and limited resources.\u00a0<\/p><p>41% of school leaders reported moderate to extreme concern about teacher and staff mental health, and 61% reported that staff were increasingly worried about students\u2019 depression, anxiety, trauma, or emotional dysregulation (<a href=\"https:\/\/ies.ed.gov\/learn\/press-release\/over-half-public-schools-report-staffing-and-funding-limit-their-efforts-effectively-provide-mental\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">NCES School Pulse Panel<\/a>). Together, these findings highlight the sustained emotional demands placed on school teams even as they work to support students.<\/p><p>Many leaders share a similar concern: they want to do more for students without adding complexity, risk, or workload for already stretched teams.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c875e21 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"c875e21\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cfa7eee ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"cfa7eee\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-107fd02 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"107fd02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3084e5d elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3084e5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"why-this-moment-matters\"><\/span>Why This Moment Matters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>The growing strain on MTSS isn\u2019t a sign of failure. It\u2019s a signal that student needs have changed faster than systems were designed to absorb.<\/p><p>Districts are being asked to respond to:<\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Higher-acuity mental health needs<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Greater expectations for accountability and outcomes<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Ongoing staffing shortages<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Increased scrutiny around student safety and well-being<\/li><\/ul><p>Understanding what is driving this pressure is the first step toward addressing it responsibly.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7a2efa2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"7a2efa2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1dfbe05 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"1dfbe05\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9354f5e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"9354f5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acbcc04 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"acbcc04\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"moving-forward-with-clarity\"><\/span>Moving Forward With Clarity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>As districts navigate this moment, many are taking a step back to ask foundational questions:<\/p><ul><li aria-level=\"1\">Where are our MTSS systems working well?<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">Where are students getting stuck after identification?<\/li><li aria-level=\"1\">How can we strengthen follow-through without overburdening staff?<\/li><\/ul><p>There are no one-size-fits-all answers. But there is growing alignment on one idea: supporting today\u2019s students requires thoughtfully extending capacity while maintaining quality, safety, and trust.<\/p><p>MTSS remains a critical framework for student success. Ensuring it can meet the realities of today\u2019s mental health landscape is one of the most important challenges districts face.<\/p><p><em>Because when students are supported emotionally, they are better able to show up, stay engaged, and learn.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-890a80c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"890a80c\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cca564b ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"cca564b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c627970 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"c627970\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section data-dce-background-color=\"#C2D8EC\" class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4533b1a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"4533b1a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-585ddbc ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"585ddbc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74f8ded elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"74f8ded\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Key Takeaways<\/h3><ul><li>MTSS is surfacing student needs more effectively, but systems are straining under the volume and complexity of mental health concerns now coming to light.<\/li><li>Staffing levels have not kept pace with student needs, creating a mismatch between what is identified and what schools can deliver.<\/li><li>Many students are identified but face delays or inconsistent care, leading to recurring symptoms and additional strain on staff and families.<\/li><li>MTSS teams are seeing more students who are present but emotionally disengaged, with mental health challenges affecting learning and peer relationships.<\/li><li>Districts are reassessing where MTSS is working and where follow-through breaks down, aiming to extend capacity without overburdening school teams.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-36a53bf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"36a53bf\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4e49d97 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"4e49d97\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b97aaf8 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b97aaf8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-434f330 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"434f330\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9456e61 animated-fast ae-bg-gallery-type-default elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"9456e61\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-332bddc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"332bddc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FAQs<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div data-dce-advanced-background-color=\"#F3F3F7\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a095ba0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-toggle\" data-id=\"a095ba0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"toggle.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1681\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1681\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">How is mental health reshaping how MTSS is used?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1681\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1681\"><p>MTSS teams are facing more high-acuity behavioral health needs that require therapeutic support beyond what most schools can provide. As a result, schools are having to rethink their follow-through processes and referral pathways to ensure students receive the right level of care.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1682\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1682\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What happens when schools can\u2019t meet the needs identified through MTSS?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1682\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1682\"><p>Students may be identified for support but experience delays or inconsistency in care due to staffing shortages, provider waitlists, or access barriers. This can lead to worsening symptoms and repeated cycles of referral without resolution.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toggle-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-1683\" class=\"elementor-tab-title\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"button\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-1683\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon elementor-toggle-icon-left\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-closed\"><i class=\"fas fa-caret-right\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened\"><i class=\"elementor-toggle-icon-opened fas fa-caret-up\"><\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-toggle-title\" tabindex=\"0\">What steps can districts take to strengthen MTSS?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-1683\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-1683\"><p>Districts are reassessing their systems by asking where MTSS is working, where follow-through breaks down, and how to extend capacity without overburdening staff. The focus is shifting to more strategic partnerships, clearer referral processes, and investments in scalable mental health support.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-cd499c8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"cd499c8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-24b538b ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"24b538b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfc0895 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"cfc0895\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-92c377f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"92c377f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_ae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-761d686 ae-bg-gallery-type-default\" data-id=\"761d686\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de309b1 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de309b1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"references\"><\/span>References<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4><p>Bitsko, R. H., Claussen, A., Lichstein, J., et al. (2022). Mental health surveillance among children\u2014United States, 2013\u20132019. <em>MMWR Supplements, 71<\/em>, 1\u201342. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15585\/mmwr.su7102a1\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.15585\/mmwr.su7102a1<\/a><\/p><p>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 3). <em>Data and statistics on children\u2019s mental health.<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/childrensmentalhealth\/data.html\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\"> https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/childrensmentalhealth\/data.html<\/a><\/p><p>Merikangas, K. R., He, J. P., Burstein, M., et al. (2010). Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication\u2013Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). <em>Journal of the American Academy of Child &amp; Adolescent Psychiatry, 49<\/em>(10), 980\u2013989. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jaac.2010.05.017\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jaac.2010.05.017<\/a><\/p><p>National Center for Education Statistics. (2024). <em>Over half of public schools report staffing and funding limitations to effectively provide mental health services.<\/em> U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences. <a href=\"https:\/\/ies.ed.gov\/learn\/press-release\/over-half-public-schools-report-staffing-and-funding-limit-their-efforts-effectively-provide-mental\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\">https:\/\/ies.ed.gov\/learn\/press-release\/over-half-public-schools-report-staffing-and-funding-limit-their-efforts-effectively-provide-mental<\/a><\/p><p>Rudowitz, R., &amp; Tolbert, J. (2025). <em>The landscape of school-based mental health services.<\/em> Kaiser Family Foundation.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.kff.org\/mental-health\/issue-brief\/the-landscape-of-school-based-mental-health-services\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener\"> https:\/\/www.kff.org\/mental-health\/issue-brief\/the-landscape-of-school-based-mental-health-services\/<\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Overview As student mental health needs continue to rise, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) are playing a critical role in helping schools identify and respond to those challenges. While MTSS is effectively surfacing academic and emotional concerns earlier, many districts are struggling to keep pace with the volume and intensity of needs, especially at Tiers [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":28581,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"content-type":"","site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[167],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-k12"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - 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