Is Wenatchee School District using Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS)?
Why are some schools still using Make Your Day (MYD)?
Lewis & Clark Elementary School is using PBIS and not MYD. What about my child's school? What about the high schools?
These are great questions. The answers are more complex.
Here are the facts:
On March 13, 2012, Superintendent Brian Flones presented an action plan to the School Board regarding school-wide behavior management. This action plan called for an advisory committee to study the current research and best practices, i.e. PBIS. It also allowed schools to choose to implement PBIS as early as the 2012-13 school year.
On June 11, 2012, this advisory committee presented PBIS to the School Board.
This summer, the Wenatchee School District moved towards using the PBIS framework to guide schools in creating and sustaining a positive school culture where positive student behaviors are taught and reinforced and where adults respond to problem behaviors in a consistent manner.
This fall, the District Make Your Day Cadre reorganized to become the PBIS District Committee for K-12. This committee is learning more about best practices, the research, and the essential components of the PBIS framework. They are studying the PBIS framework to help schools assess and improve upon their current practices to support and promote appropriate behaviors of all students.
What are the essential components of the PBIS framework presented to the School Board in June?
· Identify a common purpose and approach to discipline
· Define a clear set of positive expectations and behaviors
· Implement procedures for teaching expected behavior
· Differentiate supports from a continuum of procedures for encouraging expected behavior (provide positive feedback for demonstrating expected behaviors)
· Differentiate supports from a continuum of procedures for discouraging inappropriate behavior (intervene with consequences for not demonstrating expected behavior)
· Implement procedures for on-going monitoring and evaluation
Is my child's school doing this?
I suggest talking to your school's teachers and administrators and asking questions based on the essential components of PBIS. Ask:
· What is our school doing to teach expected positive behaviors?
· What is our school doing to reinforce and encourage positive behaviors?
· How are we collecting data to inform and evaluate whether or not our behavior approach is effective?
· Are there plans to send a team of staff from our school to a PBIS conference or spring training event?
Please support and encourage all the efforts your school is making toward this goal.
How did Lewis & Clark Elementary School become a PBIS school and drop Make Your Day?
In the fall of 2010, Lewis & Clark Elementary School with support from their PTSA started implementing Tier 1 of the Behavior Response to Intervention (RtI) pyramid while continuing Make Your Day compliance. Tier 1 is where all students are taught expectations and acknowledged for demonstrating desired behavior.
In the spring of 2012, a team of staff composed of grade level representatives and select staff choose to attend a two day PBIS training. Next, the team presented PBIS to the rest of the staff. A secret ballot vote was taken to choose one of the following options:
· Implement PBIS and drop MYD
· Implement PBIS and modify MYD
· Keep MYD
The majority of staff voted to implement PBIS and drop MYD.
A second two day training was attended in August 2012 to prepare for PBIS implementation this fall. An article about PBIS at Lewis & Clark Elementary and Valley Academy of Learning appears in the October 2012 addition of INSIDE Wenatchee Schools.
With support and encouragement from parents, PTA groups, students, staff, and the community, we can strive towards building a strong PBIS foundation that benefits ALL Wenatchee School District students, staff, and parents.
Get involved in this process!
Keep this conversation and action going!
written by
Jennifer Talbot
10-6-12
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