Union University (Germantown Campus) Cultivating College and Career Readiness: Climate, Culture, and Resources (Session IIC) District Learning Day Union University (Germantown Campus) August 6, 2015
School-wide Positive Behavior and Support
Do Now Describe last school year using a song, movie, television program or play.
Norms Be present and engaged. Be respectful of differences in perspective while challenging each other productively and respectively. Monitor “air time.” Make the most of the time we have. Stay focused on students. Keep this slide – do not alter We will adhere to the following norms.
Objectives The participants will: Know the importance of promoting a positive school climate in order to decrease discipline referrals that result in out-of-school suspension. Understand the importance of a positive school climate and its impact on students’ academic performance, behavior, and attendance. Be able to identify the key elements in promoting a positive school climate to increase academic achievement. In alignment with the Effective PD Design Principles, Professional development must be aligned to SCS’s goals, vision of effective teaching, academic priorities, and evaluation system. First and foremost, any SCS professional development must be directly tied to Destination 2025 and the key pillars of the district’s strategic plan. In addition, PD must be directly aligned to the district’s vision of effective teaching (captured in the TEM or elsewhere), academic priorities (such as literacy, writing, and early childhood education), and needs defined by teacher observations (such as planning, clear delivery of content, etc.). In alignment with the Effective PD Design Principles, Professional development must be MEASUREABLE: Professional development’s impact must be measured and evaluated strategically. Professional development is intended to improve teacher performance and student achievement, so we must name the change we expect to see in teacher and student performance as a result of professional development experiences. Given the time and resources professional development consumes, we must measure the effectiveness of PD so that we can determine where to spend more time and resources, given the outcomes that we see. How will you track engagement in PD mapped to student achievement and teacher improvement so that you can ensure that the professional development actually improves teacher performance and ultimately, student achievement?
Positive Environment Promotes Academic Achievement Positive Behavior Intervention & Support Plan 2014-2015 Parent and Student Handbook Conduct Data Progressive Discipline Process Class Dojo Character Education In-School Suspension In alignment with the Effective PD Design Principles, all PD should reference the connection to data and research that support why the PD is needed at this time.
PBIS What is a positive school climate? A positive school climate is a healthy, supportive atmosphere for learning. Through Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) emphasis: Rules, expectations, and procedures for School, Classroom, Dismissal, Lunchroom, Assemblies, Passing Class, Academic Support Classroom, Library, etc. are in place. Also, rules, expectations, and procedures are taught at the beginning of the school year and revisited through out the year as needed. Does your school have a positive climate and culture?
PBIS What does a positive school climate look like? According to the National School Climate Council: Norms, values, and expectations are in place that support social, emotional, and physical safety Students and Staff are engaged and respected. All stakeholders work together to develop and live a shared school vision. Educators model and nurture attitudes that emphasize the benefits gained from learning. All stakeholders contribute to the operation of the school and the care of the physical environment.
PBIS Does your school have a positive climate and culture? Is it warm, clean, and inviting? Are all stakeholders respected? Are students, staff, and administrators happy to be there? Is there order and discipline in place? Are there high expectations for teaching and learning? Discussion and Reflection
PBIS Why is promoting a positive school climate important and how does it increase academic performance? According to the National School Climate Council (2015), a positive school climate fosters student development and learning necessary for a productive, contributing and satisfying life in a democratic society. Also, several studies mention that students in schools with a better school climate have higher achievement and better social/emotional development.
Airtight Activity: MODELING Create two scenarios and have the audience offer suggestions as to how Positive Behavior Intervention and Support can promote a positive climate.
Airtight Activity: MODELING Scenario 1 Two eighth students entered their 3rd period class and immediately begin fighting-pushing and shoving each other. The teacher submitted a Disciplinary Referral to the office. Each student completed a Student Statement. The Administrative Action included a student/parent/administrator conference and assigned in-school suspension. Reflective Behavior Assessment Form What unacceptable behavior did I choose to display? Why? What could I have done differently to avoid my unacceptable behavior? What will I do next time if faced with the same situation? What have I learned from this experience.
Airtight Activity: MODELING Scenario 2 Two fifth students were caught next to the gymnasium smoking cigarettes. The teacher submitted a Disciplinary Referral to the office. Each student completed a Student Statement. The Administrative Action included a student/parent/administrator conference and assigned in-school suspension. Reflective Behavior Assessment Form What unacceptable behavior did I choose to display? Why? What could I have done differently to avoid my unacceptable behavior? What will I do next time if faced with the same situation? What have I learned from this experience.
Reflection: MODELING What resonated with you? What is similar to your current practice? What is different than your current practice? What are you going to change as a result?
Promoting a Positive Climate How can the In-School Suspension program be used to improve student achievement? The goals of the program are to: Provide an alternative to home suspension as a means of disciplinary action for inappropriate student behavior. Provide uninterrupted instruction to students in a safe, rigorously- structured environment. Prevent tardies and/or absences that result into suspensions. Modify inappropriate behavior and return the student to their regular classroom setting.
Airtight Activity: Application (ie – apply to upcoming lesson) Write down three ways that promoting a positive school climate can assist in helping to achieve our College and Career Ready focus? In alignment with the Effective PD Design Principles, Professional Development must be PRACTICE-BASED: Educators learn best when they have the opportunity to apply what they have learned, so our professional development consistently involves opportunities for practice. High-quality professional development involves practice so that teachers can immediately implement what they have learned in a session rather than “sitting and getting” information. How will educators practice in sessions and then also commit to practicing newly learned skills in their classrooms? What will the follow-up activities be? Who will help participants enact and refine what they have learned in their classrooms? Please include one activity to engage the participants. One activity must include practice.
Reflection: Application What was easiest for you? What was most difficult? What else do you need to learn/do prior to assisting the educators at your school promote a positive learning environment?
A Positive School Environment Promotes Academic Achievement Closing A Positive School Environment Promotes Academic Achievement
Revisit Objectives The participants will: Know the importance of promoting a positive school climate in order to decrease discipline referrals that result in out-of-school suspension. Understand the importance of a positive school climate and its impact on students’ academic performance, behavior, and attendance. Be able to identify the key elements in promoting a positive school climate to increase academic achievement. In alignment with the Effective PD Design Principles, Professional development must be aligned to SCS’s goals, vision of effective teaching, academic priorities, and evaluation system. First and foremost, any SCS professional development must be directly tied to Destination 2025 and the key pillars of the district’s strategic plan. In addition, PD must be directly aligned to the district’s vision of effective teaching (captured in the TEM or elsewhere), academic priorities (such as literacy, writing, and early childhood education), and needs defined by teacher observations (such as planning, clear delivery of content, etc.). In alignment with the Effective PD Design Principles, Professional development must be MEASUREABLE: Professional development’s impact must be measured and evaluated strategically. Professional development is intended to improve teacher performance and student achievement, so we must name the change we expect to see in teacher and student performance as a result of professional development experiences. Given the time and resources professional development consumes, we must measure the effectiveness of PD so that we can determine where to spend more time and resources, given the outcomes that we see. How will you track engagement in PD mapped to student achievement and teacher improvement so that you can ensure that the professional development actually improves teacher performance and ultimately, student achievement?
Next steps and activities for follow up Review: PBIS website: http://www.pbis.org Class Dojo website: https://www.classdojo.com Steps for School Staff: Teachers will include in their weekly lesson plans activities to introduce, model, and practice application of the school rules and procedures. Teachers and administrators will teach, model, and practice the procedures during the beginning of the school year and at the beginning of the semester. All staff members will revisit procedures throughout the year. School rules and procedures will be posted throughout the school in the appropriate areas. In alignment with the Effective PD Design Principles, all PD should provide next steps for follow up to ensure the learning will take root in instructional practice.
Reflection: One minute paper on post-it Jot down your “Take-Aways” Consider what you need to know and be able to do to successfully implement what you have learned in this session. What is still unclear? What professional development or additional resources do you need? Presenters please collect post-it notes at the end of each session. Prepare an analysis of the responses and be prepared to share out in DLD debrief.
Resources TN PBIS links http://www.edprodevelopment.com & http://riseprojectmemphis.org Maryland PBIS http://www.pbismaryland.org PBIS http://www.pbis.org Class Dojo https://www.classdojo.com National School Climate Council http://schoolclimate.org/climate/
John P. Freeman Optional School James Cathey-catheyj@scsk12.org Sonja Dotson-dotsonsp@scsk12.org 901-416-3156 901-416-3127