This book provides a concise, applied research approach to support mental health in schools. It outlines a proactive approach for school leaders to address mental health. The authors' expansion of MTSS to include a fourth tier is an essential shift to effectively respond to the ongoing student mental health crisis. This book is an essential guide for school leaders to work within their sphere of control to address it.

Rosemary Reilly-Chammat, EdD., Director, Office of School Health and Wellness, Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Two experienced educational leaders, Sherman and Pires, take readers on a journey that begins with the significant challenges currently facing the children's mental health services system and leads to a comprehensive guide for school staff that addresses those challenges. By highlighting the importance of partnerships between schools and community organizations, they reveal practical strategies to improve youth mental health services.

Jennifer Green, PhD., Professor, Boston University Wheelock College of Education and Human Development

As a school superintendent, I am continually searching for innovative approaches to address the complex challenges our students face. The mental health crisis among school-aged children has escalated to unprecedented levels. The Fourth Tier: Modernizing MTSS to Support Student Mental Health is not just timely; it is an essential resource for educators and administrators grappling with these urgent issues. It offers a thoughtful, well-researched roadmap to address one of the most pressing issues in education today.

Jeffrey J. Marsden, EdD, Massachusetts Superintendent of Schools