MTSS and SEL Frameworks
MTSS Definition:
“MTSS stands for multi-tiered system of support. As the name implies, this framework has a tiered infrastructure that uses data to help match academic and social-emotional behavior assessment and instructional resources to each student’s needs.
In this tiered, data-informed framework, educators work to ensure that the majority of students respond to core instruction. Students who need additional support for enrichment or remediation are identified by data and provided that support with the right focus and intensity.”
SEL Definition:
“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.
SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.”
https://casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/
Standard NGSS:
The Next Generation Science Standards
“(NGSS) are K–12 science content standards. Standards set the expectations for what students should know and be able to do. The NGSS were developed by states to improve science education for all students.
A goal for developing the NGSS was to create a set of research-based, up-to-date K–12 science standards. These standards give local educators the flexibility to design classroom learning experiences that stimulate students’ interests in science and prepares them for college, careers, and citizenship.”
https://www.nextgenscience.org
Standard STEM:
“STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, encompassing disciplines that drive innovation and address global challenges. It fosters critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity, equipping individuals to tackle complex issues and contribute to sustainable development.
Building capacity in STEM, especially in Africa and from a gender perspective, is crucial to transform knowledge into resilience ownership to promote sustainable development. “
https://www.unesco.org/en/stem
Standard STEAM
“STEAM Education is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
Using STEAM education results in students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. These are the innovators, educators, leaders, and learners of the 21st century!”
https://artsintegration.com/what-is-steam-education-in-k-12-schools/
Standard SoR:
All our material adheres to SoR mandates. Orthographic mapping is a core design concept at Coosa Books.
Science of Reading Standard defined:
“The Science of Reading is a research-based approach to helping each and every student achieve literacy through the combination of phonics, vocabulary, and content familiarity. The Simple View of Reading has been empirically validated by over 150 scientific studies. It shows us that reading comprehension is not the sum, but the product of two components - word recognition and language comprehension - such that if either one is weak, reading comprehension is diminished. No amount of skill in one component can compensate for a lack of skill in the other.”
Orthographic Mapping:
“Orthographic mapping is a powerful strategy used in Science of Reading to help students map sounds to letters and store words in their long-term memory. West explains, “When students map a word like ‘said,’ they’re connecting the sounds they know to the letters they see. This process helps them retain the word much more effectively than simple memorization.”
By incorporating orthographic mapping into phonics lessons, teachers can support students in building a mental “word bank” of familiar words, boosting their reading fluency and confidence.”
As of early 2026, over 40 states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation or implemented policies adopting Science of Reading (SoR) standards, with many aiming for full implementation by the end of 2026. These laws mandate evidence-based reading instruction, including phonics training, teacher training, and curriculum changes.
Key states, among the 40+ with SoR legislation, that have implemented or are transitioning to these standards include:
Alabama
Ohio
Arizona
Arkansas
Key Trends & Implementation (2024–2026)
15 States Strengthened Policies: In 2024, states like Alabama, Arizona, Florida, and Tennessee continued to strengthen their literacy laws.
Curriculum & Training: States are focusing on removing "cueing" systems and adopting actual evidence-based curricula.
Mandate Timeline: Many of these laws require teacher training and new curricular materials to be fully in place in schools by the 2025–2026 or 2026–2027 school years.
https://artsintegration.com/what-is-steam-education-in-k-12-schools/
STANDARDS are the "what" of education, defining the essential knowledge and skills students must master.
Purpose:
They provide a consistent, structured framework for educators to design lessons, choose materials, and evaluate student progress.
Alignment:
Standards-based curriculum aligns learning goals with assessment practices.
Structure:
They break down complex subject content into specific, achievable benchmarks, often organized by grade level or subject area.
Components:
A well-defined curriculum, guided by standards, includes specific learning objectives, methods, and materials.