CCEA Plus 2025 Surf's Up! Riding the Waves of Opportunity

Instead of “waiting for failure,” Merced Union High School District MTSS proactively identifies and addresses students with academic, behavioral, and SEL needs. Early assessment and intervention for these students can help them catch up with their peers sooner. Every violation of the behavior code is an opportunity for intervention.

Continuation Schools represent a unique challenge in the Education World - We are Tier Three schools who need to have three Tiers of support.  We already do all the things a Comprehensive does (and then some).  So how do you provide that MTSS support when everything you might do has either already been done or is being done?  This presentation explores methods beyond Tier 3, ideas that focus on our type of students and supports that are "outside of the box" thinking.  It will be organized into three levels (like the Tiers), with the differences being in cost (cheap to expensive) and time involved (little time spend to a lot of time spent).

If your school received Equity Multiplier funding this year and you have questions on compliance and are wondering how to best leverage those funds to support your students, join this discussion with Chris Fore of Mojave High School (Hesperia Unified), as he shares how his school leveraged Equity Multiplier funding to expand critical mental health and resilience services for students. Discover how Catapult Learning and EmpowerU partnered with Chris to provide turnkey solutions—including mental health support, academic intervention, and staffing—without adding extra burden on administrators or teachers. Additionally, gain insights on the 2025-2026 Equity Multiplier funding compliance landscape and forecast.

We plan to highlight our Tier I and II systems that have resulted in improved academics, increased feelings of belonging, and higher attendance rates. -Tier I data chats -MTSS points and the student rewards store. -Attendance team review -Tier II referral process. -SEL Emphasis -SEL spaces. -Academic Success Academy class. -Students giving their perspective.

In this presentation, you will learn about community cultural wealth, a framework that highlights the cultural assets students bring to the classroom every day, rather than focusing on perceived deficits—particularly for students of color. All students draw on a range of cultural knowledge, skills, abilities, and networks to navigate systems of oppression, marginalization, and inequality. By recognizing and building on these assets, students can gain confidence in both school and life. This framework is applicable across all grades and subjects. We will specifically explore how it was implemented in a social science class, where students applied their cultural knowledge of Día de los Muertos to engage with their community in East San Jose.

Three years ago, we presented the beginnings of our attempt at implementing a data mapping system into our orientation program.  Now, we have created a well functioning system that includes a mapping test when students arrive at our school site,  a mapping test when they leave our site, and methods for data collection and monitoring student growth.  All of this is used to support our EDI, PBIS, and everything in between.  We have also found ways to promote student buy-in by telling them "Why." Why do you need to take a test as soon as you get to us, what does this test do, and how do we use it. The result has been a picture into the struggles our students face, what works and what doesn't, and how we can best support them.  We also have a good idea of where our state test scores will be that year, and can implement interventions and support as needed.

Nueva Vista High is committed to student success through innovative programs tailored to workforce readiness and academic achievement. The Distribution and Logistics Career Technical Education (CTE) Pathway, established in 2017, equips students with essential skills for high-demand industries such as warehousing, e-commerce fulfillment, and supply chain management. With hands-on training, OSHA certification, and cutting-edge tools like forklift simulators, students gain practical experience and technical expertise, making them competitive candidates in the workforce. Additionally, the 5th Year Program, launched in 2012, provides structured, individualized support for seniors needing additional time to earn their diplomas. Utilizing the Edgenuity platform, the program emphasizes accountability, daily progress monitoring, and career planning, with over 500 graduates since 2013. Together, these programs reflect Nueva Vista High’s dedication to fostering career readiness, academic success, and life-changing opportunities for students.

This presentation on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for students and teachers focuses on the importance of developing emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills to create a supportive and inclusive school environment. It will introduce activities such as mindfulness exercises, group discussions, and strategies to incorporate into a classroom setting to help students and teachers alike recognize and manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, and build stronger relationships. Measuring tools like SEL assessment surveys, teacher observations, and student reflections will be shared to track progress and ensure effectiveness. By incorporating SEL into daily routines, the school culture can be transformed, fostering empathy, respect, and resilience, ultimately enhancing academic performance and creating a positive, cohesive learning community.