February 23, 2025 | Nick Gross
Find Your Grind Achieves ESSA Tier 2 Validation
A rigorous, independent evaluation conducted by WestEd, a nationally recognized research organization specializing in education and workforce development, confirms that Find Your Grind improves student outcomes. With flexible implementation models and measurable impact, Find Your Grind aligns seamlessly with district priorities to enhance college and career readiness, increase engagement, and support Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Tier 2 funding eligibility.
The quasi-experimental study involved schools that chose to implement the Find Your Grind program in either Fall or Spring, with the former serving as the treatment group and the latter serving as a comparison group. Teachers who implemented in the Fall integrated Find Your Grind’s SEL content into their classes for 12–15 weeks, while comparison teachers continued their usual curriculum. Both groups participated in pre- and post-implementation assessments using the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) tool to measure students’ social-emotional competencies.
Teachers in the treatment group received in-person professional learning, completed surveys, logged their experiences, and participated in interviews to discuss their use of the program. The study’s data came from teacher surveys on instructional practices and perceptions of student readiness, professional learning feedback, and student demographic records. Additionally, the Find Your Grind platform tracked student engagement and completion rates of activities related to core competencies such as Self Awareness and Career Awareness.
How Find Your Grind is Leading the Charge
Find Your Grind’s research-backed approach, validated by WestEd, helps students build self-awareness, career confidence, and life skills—all while aligning with ESSA Tier 2 funding eligibility. Schools and districts that implement this model see measurable improvements in career readiness and student engagement.
Why Districts Choose Find Your Grind
- Meets ESSA Tier 2 requirements, enabling eligibility for federal and state funding.
- Addresses career readiness, workforce alignment, and social-emotional learning in a single solution.
- Flexible implementation makes it easy for districts to integrate within existing career pathways and advisory programs.
- Research-backed results from WestEd ensure district leaders can trust in the program’s efficacy.
