all student feelings, beliefs and behaviors are influenced ongoingly by environmental conditions

1A clinical classroom model for public schoolsANB

2NBA New Beginnings AlternativeA school-based program at Fitch High School in Groton, CT

for secondary students

who need special education and

intensive behavior support3NBA meets 3 major concerns for public schools1. 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 spending4

...in compliance with Special Education lawsNBA uses a Clinical Day School model...

similar to programs in other area secondary and middle schools... 5NBA is designed for:Students in grades 9-12 classified as:Emotionally Disturbed (ED)6Emotionally Disturbed means that a students 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 problemsPervasive sadness, unhappiness or depressionInappropriate behavior or feelingsPoor interpersonal relationshipsWithin Special Education law, ED students exhibit 1 or more of 5 characteristics...8in a way that adversely effects school performance to a marked degree

for an extended period of time9The NBA staff assume:

All students are capable of high level learning

but all students dont learn in the same way - or at the same rate

10...and that all learning is influenced continuously by ...FeelingsBeliefsandBehaviors11Highly structuredandClosely supervisedBecause of this, many ED students learn best in a setting that is...12Without this, some students get locked into...Failure cycles andSelf defeating patterns of behavior13at home,andin the communityat school14Often, these patterns are characterized by...Interpersonal conflictIneffective thinkingSchool failureandSelf doubt15School behaviors can appear...InappropriateIrresponsibleDisruptiveand sometimesDangerous16Removing ED students from the mainstream...for a period of time...can help them get back on a success track.17The mission of NBA is to help ED students become more successful in school... by addressing: feelings & relationships attitudes & beliefs behavior habits & skills18This 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 directed19This requires daily attention to:Feelings & relationshipsOrder & controlLearning needs & motivationSocialissues & skills20using several different program strategies21Highly structured learning environmentSmall group & individualized instruction

Incentives and rewardsSupportive relationshipsClear feedback about behaviorTherapeutic crisis managementProblem-solving counseling22These program components are designed to help ED students in 4 important ways:231st - By Addressing Psychological NeedsSafety & trustCompetenceInitiative AccomplishmentIdentity & belonging

242nd - By Planning For Academic Success

Teaching how they learn

Small group instruction

Engaging learning activities

Incentive strategies25Day-to-day student management practices based on behavioral learning principles

Clinical & supportive group process

Student empowerment3rd - By Building Self Control

26And 4th - By Teaching Social-Cognitive Skills

Self awarenessOwnershipCommunicationProblem solvingGoal setting & planning27keeping students in the LREandavoiding costly out-placements28 helping ED students rebuild... Self EsteemSelf ControlSelf DeterminationInterpersonal Relationshipsand School SuccessNBA -29NBA Staff2013-14Dr. Barbara Bronson School Psychologist Mat OrcuttSPED TeacherDave GruberSPED TeacherGail Narita Teacher AssistantDale TedescoTeacher Assistant

Dr. Paul J. Pattavina Supervisor

30Dr. Paul J. Pattavina Special Education Supervisor

Groton Public Schools

860/ 572-2157-for more information-