Navigating College and Career Exploration using MTMDSS
Written by: Michelle Clarke
This past spring, I had the opportunity to visit Cajon Valley Union School District in San Diego, CA, to learn more about their World of Work (WoW) Initiative that was rolled out in 2016 under the Leadership of David Miyashiro and Ed Hidalgo. This initiative helps students identify their strengths, interests and values to explore, as well as engage and experience a variety of careers starting in elementary school. Our visit to Lexington Elementary included seeing students acting out certain careers, participating in stations designed around careers aligned to the RIASEC, and exploring their relaxation room. We also shopped at a classroom store purchasing products created and marketed by the students and saw students as young as 3 and 4 demonstrating activities aligned with careers. It was incredible to see how career exploration was embedded into the school culture, the day-to-day instruction, and how educators and counselors were all on board and part of the experience. After returning home, I wanted to bring some of these ideas back to Indiana schools to help expand and explore how to include college and career supports beyond middle school and high school.
“It was incredible to see how career exploration was embedded into the school culture, the day-to-day instruction, and how educators and counselors were all on board and part of the experience.”
Planning college and career activities can seem overwhelming on top of all of the other duties assigned to already overburdened school counselors. That is where using the MTMDSS framework can come into play. MTMDSS offers a framework to guide counselors (and educators) through planning college and career activities from Pre-K to HS while ensuring decisions are data-informed and intentional student supports are provided..
What is MTMDSS?
The Multi-Tiered, Multi-Domain system of supports is a framework based on MTSS, which is characterized by a continuum of evidence-based practices for academics, behavior, and social-emotional development. Adding Multi-domain expands this framework to include an additional domain focused on college and career readiness to reflect the importance of a tiered approach when implementing college and career programming (Triplett).
How to Use MTMDSS in Your College and Career Programming
MTMDSS gives counselors a tiered approach to designing their College and Career Supports programming. The supports are based on intensity using data to identify who needs to complete certain activities.
Tier 1: Universal Support
Tier 1 activities are for ALL students. These are activities you program year to year for students that may include, but are not limited to, curriculum, class speakers, assemblies, career fairs, field trips, etc. Included in this would be the one-on-one counseling provided to middle and high school students in developing their graduation plans and determining their personalized career pathways.
Some examples of Tier 1 activities in elementary include:
- Collaboration with teachers to create a career and college going culture (example – World of Work)
- Taking a career assessment to identify students’ strengths, interests and values
- Classroom lessons on careers connected to students’ strengths, interests and values
- Creating a classroom mini-economy.
Examples of Tier 1 activities in middle and high school:
- Plan grade-level field trips or visits to colleges or employment sites
- Career/college fairs
- Creating a 4-year plan
- Career exploration activities and assessments
- Creating a resume
- Exploring credentials of value available in high school and dual credit programs
Tier 2: Targeted Supports
Tier 2 supports are for students who may need additional guidance or focused interventions. Using data elements such as participation, perception and outcome data, you can make decisions about who should receive more college and career support.
Examples include:
- Meetings with college reps, employers or military recruiters
- Short-term counseling for students without a post-secondary plan
- Workshops for students who qualify for scholarship programs such as 21st Century Scholars
- Small group counseling to address needs (example; college application or FAFSA help).
Tier 3: Intensive Supports
At the highest level of intensity, this intervention is for students with the highest need of support and intervention. Again, this is driven by data such as participation, perception, and outcome data. These interventions are very personalized and address complex issues or barriers to student success.
Some examples are:
- Consultation or collaboration with a student’s family
- Referrals to mental health or community agencies
- Individual counseling addressing issues such as attendance
- Mentoring opportunities
- Reassessment of graduation plan or post-secondary goals
“Comprehensive college and career programming in schools are vital in helping students identify their strengths, interests and values and helping them determine future pathways that allow them to lead a fulfilling life.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, comprehensive college and career programming in schools are vital in helping students identify their strengths, interests and values and helping them determine future pathways that allow them to lead a fulfilling life. By using the MTMDSS framework, schools can offer a holistic approach to college and career programming that spans from pre-k through high school to help students remain connected and engaged throughout their educational journey. Likewise, embedding a culture of college and career readiness can help foster not only individual student success but also create a more prepared future workforce ready to tackle the opportunities that lie ahead in an ever-changing world.
Work Cited
Triplett, W. “Multi-Tiered, Multi-Domain System of Supports (MTMDSS) — Hatching Results – School Counselor Training.” Hatching Results, https://www.hatchingresults.com/multi-tiered-multi-domain-system-of-supports. Accessed 4 September 2024.
Resources
Learn More about Cajon Valley and the World of Work: The Primacy of Career Development | AASA
Hatching Results MTMDSS Worksheet Examples MTMDSS Worksheet Examples (2024)
Indiana Career Coaching Framework: CHE: Career Coaching and Navigation Framework
Please login or register to claim PGPs.
Alternatively, you may use the PGP Request Form if you prefer to not register an account.
