1. Department of Behavioral Learning: Update Dr. Linda Burruss Director
March 23, 2017

2. The Department of Behavioral Learning Implemented Many New Initiatives This Year
These include:
Retirement of the Code of Student Conduct
Implementation of the Behavioral Learning Guide (BLG)
Assist schools with selecting appropriate disciplinary interventions
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Restorative Practices
BLG Liaisons

3. There are striking differences between the Code of Student Conduct and the Behavioral Learning Guide
CSC ( SY)
BLG ( SY)
One document for K - 12
One document for elementary/one document for secondary
Rigid and punitive
Progressive and less punitive
Limited opportunity for re-teaching expected behavior
Restorative practices and Interventions

4. The Department of Behavioral Learning Conducts Ongoing Professional Development
Behavioral Learning Guide (BLG) Training:
Administrative Conference – July 22, 2016
SPED Coordinators – July 26, 2016
Campus Security Officers (CSO) – July 27, 2016
Substitute Teachers – July 28 & 29, 2016
LAUNCH Academy – November 9, 2016

5. The Department of Behavioral Learning Conducts Ongoing Professional Development
Behavioral Learning Guide (BLG) Training:
Faculty Meetings:
Grissom High School – January 4, 2017
Sonnie Hereford Elementary – January 9, 2017
Farley Elementary – January 11, 2017
Lee High School/New Century Tech. H.S. – January 25, 2017
Rolling Hills Elementary – February 8, 2017

6. The Department of Behavioral Learning Conducted Meetings for the Public

7. The Department of Behavioral Learning Conducts Ongoing Professional Development
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) Training:
All HCS Schools had PBIS Tier 1 training during the school year :
September , 2015
October , 2015
March 7-8, 9-10, 11 and 14, 2016
We have started implementing PBIS Tier 2 training this school year.

8. The Department of Behavioral Learning Conducts Ongoing Professional Development
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) Training:
Bus Drivers – April 22, 2016
The LAUNCH Academy – December 2 and 16, 2016
Bus Drivers/CSOs/SROs – February 15, 2017
Restorative Practices Training:
Principals, APs, TOSAs, Counselors, Social Workers, and Directors – April 28-29, 2016 and May 16-17, 2016

9. The Department of Behavioral Learning Conducts Ongoing Professional Development
BLG Liaison Meetings:
Monthly meetings at the District to receive training and support to take back to their school and to provide their schools’ feedback and support.
April/May 2016
July 18 or 19, 2016
August 2, 2016
Monthly from August 2016 – April 2017

10. The Department of Behavioral Learning Regularly Reviews Student Discipline Data
Behavioral Learning reviews data in a variety of ways:
Each week, we review the data to review school-level trends.
Each month, we work with other departments to determine district-wide trends.
When we receive a call for an expulsion, we work with the school to review the data to determine compliance with the BLG.

11. The Department of Behavioral Learning Regularly Reviews Student Discipline Data
As a part of our review, we have identified the following trends:
The number of In-School Suspensions (ISS) and Out-of-School Suspensions (OSS) are about the same for and
The number of expulsions is down significantly from

12. The Percentage of Students Receiving Either an ISS or an OSS is About the Same Year-to-Year
Percent of Students with at least 1 ISS or at least 1 OSS through the end of the 3rd 9 Weeks
Year

13. The Number of Students Expelled/Found Guilty has Drastically Decreased
The number of students expelled/found guilty through the end of the 3rd 9 Weeks
Year

14. The Department of Behavioral Learning Has Analyzed the Reasons for these Trends
The reduction in expulsions is driven by a focus on progressive discipline and interventions.
Before a school can expel a student, it must demonstrate good faith interventions over time.
This often requires schools to try different interventions, and not just punishment, to reach a student.
Expulsion is rarely the first step unless the student’s behavior is particularly dangerous.

15. The Department of Behavioral Learning Has Analyzed the Reasons for these Trends
The static ISS and OSS data makes sense in light of the reduction in expulsion.
In the past, more students were expelled. Now, schools are keeping those students in school to work through discipline problems.
These students now have more ISS and OSS instead of simply being expelled.
Also, implementing Restorative Practices and PBIS is challenging, and it is still new to most of our schools.
As schools get better at these interventions, ISS and OSS numbers should decrease.

16. These plans will ensure:
HCS and the Department of Behavioral Learning are Making Plans to Address Issues Identified This Year
These plans will ensure:
That there is consistency in implementation across all schools
Documents for checking utilization of training
Feedback from schools about useful training
That school leaders have what they need to continue shifting their culture and mind-set
Professional Development on cultural responsiveness
Continue building relationships with students
That principals discuss implementation monthly with Directors of Instruction

17. Implementing these new initiatives is important:
Following These Steps is Important for Our Students and for Our District as HCS Moves Closer to Unitary Status
Implementing these new initiatives is important:
Evidence shows that Restorative Practices and PBIS improve academic performance and reduce discipline problems when implemented with fidelity.
These new initiatives should also help reduce the District’s racial disparity in discipline.
We have already begun to see success with fewer expulsions, so the focus of Behavioral Learning moving forward is Restorative Practices and PBIS.

18. Anne Jobe, Principal of Lee High School
Principals and Teachers Share Their Challenges and Successes Implementing the New Discipline Initiatives from the First 3 Semesters of the School Year
Anne Jobe, Principal of Lee High School
Taunya Smith, Principal of Jones Valley Elementary
Derrick Jackson, Teacher at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary
Lindsey Bax, Teacher at Whitesburg P-8