We offer virtual PLCs to improve school-based mental health in Massachusetts schools and districts.

EDC has partnered with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and other Massachusetts-based organizations to offer Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) for grant-winning schools and districts across the Commonwealth.

About MA PLCs for School-Based Mental Health

EDC will be offering PLCs to educators throughout Massachusetts over the remainder of the school year on topics related to the integration of social emotional learning (SEL) and mental health into school practices and systems.

Each of these topics will consist of three weekly 1-hour sessions, facilitated by subject-matter experts, with a primary focus on peer sharing and cross-district learning. While some relevant content will be presented, much of the time in each session will be devoted to discussion and other modes of information exchange, designed to provide participants with an opportunity to share their experiences, troubleshoot challenges, and ask questions.

These sessions are free and open to all Massachusetts-based school and district staff, including administrators, teachers, school counselors, and paraprofessionals.

The following sessions will take place beginning in late February and March, with additional rounds of PLS announced throughout the year.

Offered PLCs

Integrating SEL into Academic Instruction (Wednesdays 1-12pm | Feb. 28, March 6, March 13)

Districts and schools across the nation recognize the importance of social emotional learning (SEL) to promote positive student academic and behavioral outcomes but are often challenged to authentically integrate the development of these skills and mindsets into daily instructional practices. Educators can embed implicit and explicit strategies into lesson plans, classroom routines, school policies, and everyday interactions with students as part of a comprehensive effort to build students’ social and emotional competencies.

This PLC series will offer guidance to teachers and other educators on how to intentionally and consistently integrate strategies to support the development of social and emotional skills and mindsets into their daily practices. Through breakout discussions and whole-group share-outs, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their own practices, share highlights and challenges, and learn about strategies in place in other schools and districts.

Register: Integrating SEL into Academic Instruction

Using Digital Tools to Address Mental Health (Mondays 4-5pm | March 4, March 11, March 18)

This PLC will explore how school administrators can utilize simple data systems such as attendance records, grades, teacher anecdotes, and observations to establish a robust data culture. We will focus on implementing routines that enable effective data use, interpretation, and the creation of meaningful solutions.

Participants will gain insights into the initial steps of fostering a data culture within their schools, setting the stage for comprehensive SEL and mental/behavioral health supports. By extending their data review processes, incorporating diverse data sets, and making informed decisions to enhance SEL and mental/behavioral health supports, administrators will gain practical strategies to use data insight to broaden their understanding of student needs and strengthen intervention strategies.

In the final session, administrators will explore specialized assessment tools designed for SEL and mental and behavioral health and will receive practical guidance on selecting, implementing, and interpreting assessments, ensuring that interventions align with student needs. They will leave equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance the impact of their SEL and mental/behavioral health support programs.

Register: Using Digital Tools to Address Mental Health

Supporting the Wellbeing of Immigrant and Refugee Populations (Mondays 11am-12pm | March 4, March 11, March 18)

This PLC will offer participants opportunities to explore the ways district and school communities can support the wellbeing of immigrant and refugee learners. In the first session, we will examine who our students and families are and ways of integrating student wellbeing at district, school, and classroom levels within a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS). Next, we will identify effective processes and practices schools can implement to support the wellbeing of immigrant and refugee learners. Lastly, we will identify and share resources and tools that can support students and families. We will reflect on our shared learning and identify one or more actions to bring back to their district and school communities. 

Register: Supporting the Wellbeing of Immigrant and Refugee Populations

Understanding and Mitigating the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health (Tuesdays 3-4pm | March 5, March 12, March 18)

Research shows that social media can have both positive and negative impacts on youth mental health. Adolescents can benefit from the social connections and supports afforded by online communities, particularly for youth who may be lacking those connections in person. However, there is a substantial body of evidence linking social media use with psychological harms, including negative social comparisons, poor body image, anxiety, depression, and increased risks of cyberbullying.

Schools can support students by teaching strategies to promote their digital wellness. Session 1 will focus on understanding the impacts of social media use on mental health, both positive and negative, and introducing the concept of digital wellness in school settings. In session 2, we will discuss school-based strategies for supporting students’ social media literacy and promoting their digital wellness. Session 3 will conclude our PLC with an examination of the elements of a comprehensive school-based digital wellness strategy.

Register: Understanding and Mitigating the Impact of Social Media on Mental Health

Using Integrated Data Systems to Strengthen Student Support Team Processes (Tuesdays 4-5pm | March 19, March 26, April 2)

This PLC will explore how school administrators can utilize simple data systems such as attendance records, grades, teacher anecdotes, and observations to establish a robust data culture. We will focus on implementing routines that enable effective data use, interpretation, and the creation of meaningful solutions. Participants will gain insights into the initial steps of fostering a data culture within their schools, setting the stage for comprehensive SEL and mental and behavioral health supports.

By extending their data review processes, incorporating diverse data sets, and making informed decisions to enhance SEL and mental/behavioral health supports, administrators will gain practical strategies to use data insight to broaden their understanding of student needs and strengthen intervention strategies. In the final session, administrators will explore specialized assessment tools designed for SEL and mental/behavioral health, and will receive practical guidance on selecting, implementing, and interpreting assessments, ensuring that interventions align with student needs. They will leave equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance the impact of their SEL and mental/behavioral health support programs.

Register: Using Integrated Data Systems to Strengthen Student Support Team Processes

Strengthening your MTSS for Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Supports (Tuesdays 12:30-1:30pm | March 26, April 2, April 9)

This PLC series supports participants to reflect on their current MTSS approach to social, emotional, and behavioral supports, to identify gaps and action steps to strengthen their system. Participants will be introduced to an EDC-developed self-assessment rubric, which they can use to examine the various elements of an effective MTSS structure, including evidence-based tiered supports; robust system for identifying, placing, and monitoring struggling students; leadership commitment and vision; staff competency; effective implementation; data-informed decision-making, and a strong equity foundation.

Participants will reflect on their school or district’s strengths and weaknesses, and use this information to identify action steps they can take. The series will also help participants explore a continuous quality improvement process to routinely examine and make improvements to their structures and practices.

Register: Strengthening your MTSS for Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Supports

Selecting and Implementing Evidence-Based Tier 2 and 3 Interventions (Thursdays 9-10am | March 28, April 4, April 11)

Tier 2 is oftentimes the "forgotten tier." As such, it often requires more intentional planning and greater collaboration between classroom teachers and counselors. Tier 3, while more commonly understood, can often times be challenging to coordinate given the scarcity of counselors in school buildings and their large caseloads. In this session, we will discuss the purpose of Tier 2 and 3 supports in the context of an MTSS approach to SEL and mental and behavioral health supports. We will then facilitate sharing of effective Tier 2 and 3 selection and implementation practices among participants, as well as EDC content experts.

Register: Selecting and Implementing Evidence-Based Tier 2 and 3 Interventions

Learn More

Questions about MA Professional Learning Communities? Interested in bringing a Professional Learning Community to your school or district? Reach out to EDC Solutions.

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