overcoming the odds of implementation in an alternative
TRANSCRIPT
Overcoming The Odds Of Implementation In An Alternative Education Setting
CASCWA 2017
Lina Bender & Amanda Thomas
San Luis Obispo County Office of Education
Overview
• Getting started
• Our timeline
• Forward progress in times of change
• Agency Partners
• Lessons learned
MEET OUR PROGRAM
• SLOCOE Community School • 3 sites; geographically placed across the county
• Students ranging from 7-12th grades
• Staffing: • Each site with 2-3 general education teachers
• 1 special education teacher
• 1-3 paraprofessionals
• 1 Assistant Principal
• Shared 1 School Counselor and 1 School Psychologist
• 1 shared Principal
• 1 Mental Health Therapist (agency partner)
• 1 Drug and Alcohol Counselor (agency partner)
• 1 Probation Officer (agency partner)
OUR TIMELINE 2013-2014
Exploration & Adoption
• New Assistant Superintendent of Student Programs and
Services
• Assessment and identification of needs in SLOCOE Alternative Education programs
• Research in PBIS and Restorative Practices
OUR TIMELINE 2014-2015
Beginning Installation
August 2014:
Dr. Sprague workshop for SLOCOE and agency partners
OUR TIMELINE 2014-2015
Beginning Installation
• Fall 2014 – Beginning to establish some Universal components
• Defining School-Wide Behavioral Expectations
• Establishing a data collection/analysis system
• Developing a School-Wide Reinforcement System
OUR TIMELINE 2014-2015
Beginning Installation
• Spring 2015 – Beginning to establish some Universal components
• Defining School-Wide Behavioral Expectations
• Establishing a data collection/analysis system
• Developing a School-Wide Reinforcement System
www.pbisapps.org
OUR TIMELINE 2014-2015
Beginning Installation
• Spring 2015– Beginning to establish some Universal components
• Defining School-Wide Behavioral Expectations
• Establishing a data collection/analysis system
• Developing a School-Wide Reinforcement System
AFTER YEAR 1
“Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.” – James Belasco and Ralph Stayer Flight of the Buffalo (1994)
ARE WE BOUGHT-IN YET?
• Where’s the discipline?
• Why do we reward for what they should already do?
• What’s your background/what are your credentials?
• How are prizes going to change behavior?
• This is too elementary/juvenile
• Probation is the only answer
• Just move them to another site
15% of Staff
ARE WE BOUGHT-IN YET?
• How will we recognize high attendance?
• Wow! [student] has really improved!
• Let’s find a way to better handle transition time.
• Call home because [student]’s test scores went up!
• Let’s adjust lunch routines and see if that helps.
• Kids, make a rap about the Behavior Matrix (teacher and students battle)
• We need accurate data/let’s track those behaviors
• We need Tier 2 interventions. 85% of Staff
AFTER YEAR 1
Staffing
•2 new administrators
•2 new teachers
•2 new paraprofessionals
•1 new probation officer
•shift in coordinator/ psychologist
Process •New SST process
•Adjusted intake/student handbook
Practices •Down with detention
•Discipline/Restorative Practices
OUR TIMELINE 2015-2016
• SWIS training for Administrators
• Finding common availability and tech resources
• Training materials on SWIS
• Practice/Follow up
• Outcomes:
• Data more available at sites
• Finding needs for interventions
• Data keeping/integrity improving
OUR TIMELINE 2015-2016
• Consistency following summer 2015
• Student reinforcement survey
• Weekly “bank accounts” updated by main office
• Sites open student store for purchasing items/activities
• Monthly attendance awards/prizes
• Sites finding other special activities and acknowledgements
• Finding ways to recognize families/bring in parents
Reinforcement
OUR TIMELINE 2015-2016
• Admin using more de-escalation skills
• Looking at renewing staff de-escalation training
• Continue to work away from “Punishment” mindset
• Having students reflect on misbehavior
• Clarifying role of Probation on sites and collaborating with admin
• Continue to work on consistency with classroom management
Consequences/Discipline
• Coordination with Transportation Department
• Established Bus behavior
matrix • Reinforcement & discipline
procedures • Re-train drivers on writing
referrals
OUR TIMELINE 2015-2016 BUS
OUR TIMELINE 2016-2017
• All staff trained/refresher in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training
• Introduction to Professional Learning Communities (PLC)
• Incorporating Chromebooks into classrooms
• Updated grading policies
• Introduction to Check-In Check-Out (CICO)
• Utilizing Restorative Practices in disciplinary responses
• Began training and installing PBIS in juvenile court school
PREPARING FOR CHANGES
Staffing
• Declining enrollment – adjustments in staffing
Process • Redefining
teaming and roles
Practices
• Continue improving Tier 1 supports and look to further develop Tier 2 and Tier 3
OUTCOMES SO FAR
• Increase in attendance
• 2014-2015 - 74%
• 2015-2016 - 78%
• 2016-2017 - 80%
70
72
74
76
78
80
82
14/15 15/16 16/17
Attendance
OUTCOMES SO FAR • Drop in rate of suspension
• 2014-2015 - 32.96%
• 2015-2016 - 20.70%
• 2016-2017 - 14.57%
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
14/15 15/16 16/17
Rate of Suspension
AGENCY PARTNERS
• Included in staff meetings
• Give out reinforcement to students
• Working on relationship at administrative level
• Defining roles and where/how to work together
• Including agency partners in Student Support Teams
AGENCY PARTNERS
• They have access to resources outside of school
• Act as community liaisons and help problem solve for students
• Communication on systems/functions
• Common goal for students
Celebrations • Very strong administrative
support • Much accomplished
quickly • Staff buy-in increasing • Progress increased when
sites took ownership • Reinforcement for staff as
well as students • Advanced planning for
change • Collaboration
• across roles/sites
Critiques • Developing more support
for implementers • Site-based leadership
team roles/meetings to be identified and practiced more clearly
• Difficulty in moving
program quicker than rate of culture change
• Preparing for changing landscape of program
People and Organizations • Dr. Jeff Sprague, consultant
• Email: [email protected]
• Mobile: (541)521-4450
• PBIS North West Network • http://pbisnetwork.org
• Association for Positive Behavior Support • www.apbs.org
• California PBIS Coalition • https://www.pbis.org/pbis-network/california
• California Technical Assistance Center on PBIS • www.pbiscaltac.org
RESOURCES WE USE
Tools/Data • SWIS Data System
• www.pbisapps.org
• Scanners – Opticon Inc. • 800-636-0090
• www.opticonusa.com • Model # OPN2004
RESOURCES WE USE
CONTACT US
Amanda Thomas Assistant Principal [email protected]
Lina Bender School Psychologist/Program Coordinator [email protected]