Culture & Climate

Cultural Responsiveness includes (a) holding high expectations for all students, (b) using students' cultures and experiences to enhance their learning, and (c) providing all students with access to effective instruction and adequate resources for learning. (Klinger et al., 2005).

Our definition of cultural responsiveness within MTSS includes the following core components:

1. Identity
2. Voice
3. Supportive Environment
4. Situational Appropriateness
5. Data for Equity

Understanding the effects of school systems on each student is critical to achieving equitable outcomes for ALL students. System change requires us to understand the culture and climate of a school. When changing systems, there are two types of change to consider: technical and adaptive changes (Heifetz, Glashow, & Links, 2009)(PBIS Cultural Responsiveness Field Guide, 2021).

We define social and emotional learning (SEL) as an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. (CASEL)

The benefits: When students have supportive relationships and opportunities to develop and practice social, emotional, and cognitive skills across many different contexts, academic learning accelerates. Hundreds of studies offer consistent evidence that SEL bolsters academic performance. (CASEL)

The 5 Competencies

• Self Awareness
• Self Management
• Social Awareness
• Relationship Skills
• Responsible Decision Making

SEL & Equity

"SEL can be a powerful lever for creating caring, just, inclusive, and healthy schools that support all young people in reaching their fullest potential. In the context of SEL, equity and excellence refers to every student - across race, ethnicity, family income levels, learning abilities, home language, immigration status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other factors - engaging in high-quality educational opportunities and environments that best promote their healthy social, emotional, and academic development" (CASEL, 2023).

"Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual's functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being." (SAMHSA's Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative, July 2014)

"SAMHSA's concept of a trauma-informed approach is grounded in a set of four assumptions and six key principles. A trauma informed approach is inclusive of trauma-specific interventions, whether assessment, treatment or recovery supports, yet it also incorporates key trauma principles into the organizational culture" (SAMSHA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach, 2014).

• Four Assumptions: A program, organization, or system that is trauma-informed realizes the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognizes the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff, and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures and practices, and seeks to actively resist re-traumatization.
• Six Key Principles of a Trauma-Informed Approach: (1) Safety, (2) Trustworthiness and Transparency, (3) Peer Support, (4) Collaboration and Mutuality, (5) Empowerment, Voice and Choice, and (6) Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues. (SAMHSA's Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative, July 2014)

"All humans are hardwired to connect. Just as we need food, shelter and clothing, human beings also need strong and meaningful relationships to thrive. Restorative practices is a field within the social sciences that studies how to strengthen relationships between individuals as well as social connections within communities. Though newer to the social sciences, restorative practices have deep roots within indigenous communities throughout the world." (IIRP, 2023)

"Restorative practices is the science of relationships and community. When applied in schools, restorative practices proactively improves climate and culture. Restorative practices also provide responses to wrongdoing that focus on repairing harm." (IIRP, 2023)