1 A clinical classroom model for public schools A N B

2 NBA New Beginnings Alternative A school-based program at Fitch High School in Groton, CT for secondary students who need special education and… …intensive behavior support

3 NBA meets 3 major concerns for public schools 1. Effective programming for adolescents with challenging behaviors 2. State and federal laws requiring students placed in the Least Restrictive Environment 3. Local district needs to limit school spending

4...in compliance with Special Education laws NBA uses a Clinical Day School model... …similar to programs in other area secondary and middle schools...

5 NBA is designed for: Students in grades 9-12 classified as: – Emotionally Disturbed (ED)

6 ‘Emotionally Disturbed’ … means that a student’s social- emotional learning needs and behaviors interfere with their ability to succeed in public school

7 Unexpected learning failure Physical symptoms or fear re: school problems Pervasive sadness, unhappiness or depression Inappropriate behavior or feelings Poor interpersonal relationships Within Special Education law, ED students exhibit 1 or more of 5 characteristics...

8 … in a way that adversely effects school performance … to a marked degree … for an extended period of time

9 The NBA staff assume: All students are capable of high level learning …but all students don’t learn in the same way - or at the same rate

10...and that all learning is influenced continuously by... Feelings Beliefs and Behaviors

11 Highly structured and Closely supervised Because of this, many ED students learn best in a setting that is...

12 Without this, some students get locked into... Failure cycles and Self defeating patterns of behavior

13  at home,  and…in the community  at school

14 Often, these patterns are characterized by... Interpersonal conflict Ineffective thinking School failure and Self doubt

15 School behaviors can appear... Inappropriate Irresponsible Disruptive and sometimes… Dangerous

16 Removing ED students from the ‘mainstream’... for a period of time... can help them get back on a ‘success track’.

17 The mission of NBA is to help ED students become more successful in school... by addressing:  feelings & relationships  attitudes & beliefs  behavior habits & skills

18 This Means Helping Students...  to feel safe, capable and connected  to control and organize their behavior  to learn how to succeed  and to become responsible  & self directed

19 This requires daily attention to: Feelings & relationships Order & control Learning needs & motivation Social issues & skills

20 …using several different program strategies

21  Highly structured learning environment  Small group & individualized instruction  Incentives and rewards  Supportive relationships  Clear feedback about behavior  Therapeutic crisis management  Problem-solving counseling

22 These program components are designed to help ED students in 4 important ways:

23 1st - By Addressing Psychological Needs Safety & trust Competence Initiative Accomplishment Identity & belonging

24 2nd - By Planning For Academic Success  Teaching how they learn  Small group instruction  ‘Engaging’ learning activities  Incentive strategies

25  Day-to-day student management practices based on behavioral learning principles  Clinical & supportive group process  Student empowerment 3rd - By Building Self Control

26 And 4th - By Teaching Social-Cognitive Skills Self awareness Ownership Communication Problem solving Goal setting & planning

27 ! keeping students in the LRE and ! avoiding costly out-placements

28 helping ED students rebuild... Self Esteem Self Control Self Determination Interpersonal Relationships and School Success NBA -

29 NBA Staff Dr. Barbara Bronson School Psychologist Mat Orcutt SPED Teacher Dave GruberSPED Teacher Gail Narita Teacher Assistant Dale TedescoTeacher Assistant Dr. Paul J. Pattavina Supervisor

30 Dr. Paul J. Pattavina Special Education Supervisor Groton Public Schools 860/ for more information-