Where did MODEL come from?

Suzy Johns and Jacquelin Patrick, two district school psychologists, began implementing Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) in 2003. Orginally referred to as MODEL (Managing On-site Discipline for Effective Learning), PBS has since become a district mandate for 8 of the nine district middle schools as well as several elementary schools.

SBCUSD serves approximately 59,000 students in the heart of the Inland Empire area of Southern California. SBCUSD is California's seventh-largest school district and one of the top 20 largest districts in the nation. The average household income is $31,140 and the ethnic breakdown on average is as follows: American Indian 1 Asian 1.7 Hispanic 60.5 African American 20 White 13.8 and Other 3

What is "positive school-wide discipline"?

School which adopt a Positive Behavior Support structure: select 3-5 positively stated rules, teach behavior expectations, acknowledge appropriate behaviors, enforce well-thought out and consistent consequences, and change their focus from WHAT the misbehaviors are to WHY they are happening. The entire school community (parents, students, teachers, administration, custodian, etc.) works together using a problem-solving method to create a positive school environment.

PBS implementation is guided by the PBS Framework. Examples of Framework categories include:creating site teams, acknowledging appropriate behaviors, office referral procedures, school-wide interventions and consequences, comprehensive network of supports, and much more.

Who would benefit from PBS?

Any school that is interested in:

Lowering Office Referral rates

Becoming proactive rather than reactive when it comes to discipline

Creating a consistent set of expectations and consequences

Creating a climate where it is functional for students to demonstrate appropriate behavior

Teaching students what is expected of them in all locations on campus

Who drives the implementation process?

Each site selects a team who is then trained to implement PBS. Site teams can range from 10 to 20 members depending on the size of the school. Team members should consist of teachers, administration, classified staff, parents, students (dependent upon the age of the students), etc. Remember this is a school-wide discipline program, therefore the site team should represent the entire school.

Team members should have the following qualities to ensure program durability and effectiveness:

Highly committed, energetic and ehthusiastic

Good communication and collaboration skills

Viewed by peers as credible leaders

Able to manintain a positive attitude despite challenges

Committed to follow-through

Willing to put in extra time outside the work day

Patient: School-wide change takes time

How long is the implementation process?

After the initial planning/training/implementation stage each site will notice immediate changes in both staff and student behaviors. Depending on site needs, full implementation will take anywhere from 3-5 years (elementary / middle school) or 5-7 years (high school).