Planning Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Chilean Public Schools: Balancing Administrative Management and Mental Health

Authors

  • Rodrigo Rojas-Andrade

    School of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Santiago of Chile, Santiago 9170197, Chile
  • Annaís Petit López

    School of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Santiago of Chile, Santiago 9170197, Chile
  • Felipe Sandoval Bezzolo

    School of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Santiago of Chile, Santiago 9170197, Chile

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/jiep.v8i2.11491
Received: 25 June 2025 | Revised: 12 August 2025 | Accepted: 19 August 2025 | Published Online: 26 August 2025

Abstract

This study examines how Chilean public schools plan mental health actions within the framework of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support [MTSS], emphasizing the balance between administrative management and preventive strategies. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on the annual plans of 45 schools from a public education district in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. Each planned action was coded according to five MTSS components: screening and diagnostics, multi-tiered interventions, progress monitoring, data-based decision making, and interorganizational collaboration. An additional emerging component was identified: professional development. A total of 682 actions were identified, 65% corresponding to multitier interventions. However, a marked imbalance was observed, with universal (44%) and specialized (24%) strategies predominating over targeted interventions (7%). Operational management tended to prioritize attendance and school retention, displacing preventive and socioemotional promotion activities. The findings highlight both advances and challenges in the planned implementation of MTSS in Chile. This study provides one of the first systematic analyses of MTSS planning in Latin America, underscoring the need to strengthen impact evaluation, continuous professional training, and intersectoral collaboration to promote sustainable school mental health systems.

Keywords:

School Mental Health; Multi-Tiered Systems of Support; Preventive Interventions; Educational Management; Chile

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How to Cite

Rojas-Andrade, R., Petit López, A., & Sandoval Bezzolo , F. (2025). Planning Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in Chilean Public Schools: Balancing Administrative Management and Mental Health. Journal of International Education and Practice, 8(2), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.30564/jiep.v8i2.11491

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Vol. 8 , Iss. 2 (December 2025): In Progress

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Copyright © 2025 Rodrigo Rojas-Andrade, Annaís Petit López, Felipe Sandoval Bezzolo

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.