Description of the Program
Building Effective Schools Together (BEST) provides staff development aimed at improving school and classroom discipline in schools. It is based on the School Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) model developed at the University of Oregon and the NationalCenteron Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (www.pbis.org ). The mission of the Best Behavior program is to facilitate the academic achievement and healthy social development of children and youth in a safe environment conducive to learning.
Program components address whole-school, common area, classroom and individual student interventions and is intended to be used in combination with other evidence-based prevention programs such as the Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum. BEST is designed to support existing programs at a school site and is not intended to replace what is already working; the system will bring every person on the same page to support student success. BEST is not a curriculum.. it is a philosophy…. and a way of supporting and intervening on behalf of students.
Why do we want/need BEST in Woodland?
- We need a systemic approach to interventions with students
- BEST builds on what a school already does
- BEST provides a framework for a school to develop their protocols
- BEST gets everyone on the same page, using the same language, having the same expectations
- BEST encourages rewards and positive incentives
- BEST is a Proactive approach/system that uses data to guide decision making and interventions
- BEST focuses on instruction and emphasizes teaching behavioral expectations
- BEST strategies help to maximize academic engagement and success
Measurable Outcomes
The effects of the intervention are documented in a series of studies implemented by researchers at the University of Oregon (see also www.pbis.org for the latest research studies and reports). Studies have shown reductions in office discipline referrals of up to 50%, with continued improvement over a three year period in schools that sustain the intervention. In addition, school staff report greater satisfaction with their work, compared to schools that did not implement BEST Behavior Comparison schools show increases or no change in office referrals, along with general frustration with the school discipline program.
Training
There are three training days for the 2011-12 school year (September 29th, November 5th, and February 2nd) and each school team must include one of each of the following:
- Administration
- Special Education Teacher
- General Education Teacher
- Classified Staff Member
- Parent
Each site will be visited by the BEST trainers prior to the start of the training. The meeting will be to get to know the school a little better. This will last approximately 1 hour and can include the site administrator and any or all of the BEST team members.
In addition to the three training days, BEST trainers will be in the district 3-5 additional days (dates still to be determined) to provide support and Technical Assistance.
Each school team will select a BEST coach (a lead staff person, preferably someone other than the principal, who will assist in BEST implementation and staff communication) and that person could attend two additional trainings to get support from the other school sites and the trainers.
What additional support is provided to the schools?
District level support will be provided to coordinate the sites; including this webpage to share resources.
