1. Behavior Intervention: Creating a Safe and responsive school climate Christine Gialousis University of New England EDU 615: Motivational Theory October 10, 2010

2. Defining Behaviors doNOT define the Child Defiance Opposition Intimidation Withdrawal Impulsivity Fleeing Violence Inattentive “By implementing comprehensive programs that improve overall school climate and reduce minor disruption, schools may be able to reduce the risk of more serious violent crimes”. (Skiba, Boone, Fontanini, et.al., p5)

3. School Violence Prevention Violence is preventable There is no quick fix Effective prevention requires ongoing planning and commitment Proactive NOT reactive Involves families, students and the community Includes multiple components

4. Intervention Peer Mediation Anger Management Students are trained to resolve conflict with alternate strategies to their peers Students need 12-15 hours of training to learn about communication and conflict resolution Shows that conflict can be positive Mediating students have increase self-esteem and increased academic achievement Teaches that conflict can be settled without violence Students who have not learned to manage their anger are at risk for aggression and violence. Helps students understand and manage their emotions to avoid confrontation. Teaches strategies (perspective, control, relax) Decreases aggressive behaviors in the short-term Factors for success: length of treatment, training, and supplemental interventions

5. Intervention cont. Resource Officers Parent Involvement SRO’s are part of a larger community police program focusing on building relationships within the community. Work with administrators to teach programs that relate to gang and drug-use prevention The officer serves as a mentor, and role model while deterring crime and violence Should not be used as part of daily discipline problem solving Promotes a healthy and consistent learning environment by establishing mutual goals between home and school. Promoting involvement at home: increase parenting skills, promote learning at home, communicate Promoting involvement at school: volunteering, decision making power, collaborating. Parent involvement is positively associated with student academic success.

6. What can teachers do? Cooperative Learning Helps promote learning in the least restrictive environment Serves as a vehicle for increasing social and academic climates Students work in groups to problem solve, complete a task, or accomplish a goal. Requires group goals and individual accountability. Classroom Management Well managed classrooms have less disciplinary problems Emphasize the positive Use multiple strategies (next slide) Teach responsibility Non-emotional Consistent Responsive

7. Management Strategies:Use signals,bells or chimes,1-2-3 eyes on me,rewards/consequences,ticket system, three strikes your out, clear lists of rewards and consequencesResponsive Classroom Research Resources:http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/bookstore/behavior.html Cooperative Learning (google images)

8. Alternatives to suspension and expulsion An array of disciplinary options… In-school alternatives: Saturday school or in-school suspension Restitution: making things right Anger management: students attend classes Individual Behavior plans: Functional Behavior Assessments can be used to create a comprehensive plan with the school psychologist and special education teacher Wrap-around teams: incorporating child-service agencies, mental health, welfare, etc, to develop comprehensive plans

9. References:K-6 Classroom Management K6edu.comMiller, C., & Peterson, R. (2002). Safe & Responsive Schools. Creating a Positive Climate: Cooperative Learning.www.indiana.edu/~safeschlPeterson, R. (2002). Safe & Responsive Schools. Effective Responses: School Community Resource Officers.www.indiana.edu/~safeschlSkiba, R., Boone, K., Fontanini, T., Wu, T., & Strussell, A. Preventing School Violence: A Practical Guide to Comprehensive Planning. University of Nebraska-Lincoln.Skiba, R. & McKelvey. (2000). Safe & Responsive Schools. Early Identification and Intervention: Anger Management.Skiba, R., & Peterson, R. (2000). Safe & Responsive Schools. Creating a Positive Climate: Peer Mediation. Skiba, R., & Strassell, A. (2000). Creating A Positive Climate: Parent Involvement.