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Tier 2 PBIS supports:  Are we there yet?
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Implementing Tier 1 supports is a process similar to the long drive to visit grandma: with planning and preparation,you will get there.  Once in place for all students, these supports form the foundation for implementing Tier 2 strategies. Tier 2 of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model provides additional interventions to support the small percentage of students who do not sufficiently respond to Tier 1 supports.

Tier 2 implementation involves analyzing office referral data to identify the following:
  • Locations in the school or times of the day that are problematic; 
  • Teachers or classrooms that may need additional classroom management support;
  • Small groups of students who demonstrate similar behavior problems; 
  • Students who could benefit from daily monitoring, increased feedback, an adult mentor, a simple behavior plan for school, or a behavior plan coordinated between home and school;
  • Students who need more academic or organizational support.
  • Students who could benefit from alternatives to suspension for major violations.
Once you've analyzed your data, you should be able to reveal a "target" group.  This group may represent students at risk for developing chronic problem behavior but who do not need an intensive individualized behavior plan that is used at Tier 3.  A targeted group of ten or more students is typical of Tier 2. Tier 2 interventions include:
  • Check in Check out (CICO), 
  • social skills class/club, 
  • school-based mentor, 
  • time management training, 
  • conflict resolution training, 
  • bullying programs, 
  • classroom reinforcement systems, 
  • home/school behavior plan, 
  • self-monitoring, 
  • organizational tools, 
  • school orientation clubs, 
  • peer mentor, 
  • contracts, and/or 
  • lunch buddies (for primary grades).  

The process of transitioning from Tier 1 to Tier 2 can be long, but with planning and preparation you'll reach your desired outcomes. For more information about Tier 2 supports for students, contact Phyllis L. M. Haynes at 
Expulsion and suspension policies in early childhood settings
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The U.S Department of Education recently issued a policy statement Expulsion and Suspension Policies in Early Childhood Settings.  You may be shocked that such a policy is needed, as well as the length of the document:17 pages.

 

We know that the preschool years are ripe with opportunities for children to develop self-regulation and executive function skills.  In order for learning to take place, children need nurturing and supportive environments where they can feel safe. This process begins by creating a positive climate in your classroom and clear behavioral expectations that are taught and reinforced throughout the daily schedule.  The power of positive teacher-child interactions must be stressed as you seek to build on the children's strengths. Prevention and proactive strategies are key. We know these strategies will reduce the number of challenging behaviors.

 

For more information, Challenging behavior in young children: Understanding, preventing and  responding effectively, can be checked out from the T/TAC library. Don't let one of the children you work with each day

become one of the statistics.  

 
Resources for spring SOL preparation for secondary math

Coming back to school after the holiday break can be tough. But, getting the students to focus on preparing for the upcoming SOL tests can be even harder in the winter months. Take a moment to check out some resources which approach secondary math content using collaborative learning, hands-on instruction, and real-world applications. Each of these resources has something different to offer to both you and your students!  

 

The Cooperative Learning books by Becky Bride include content activities in the form of Kagan cooperative learning structures. Each book includes reproducible blackline masters.  Books in the series include Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, and  Geometry. 

 

If you are looking for hands-on activities that explore and reinforce math concepts, then the Geometry station activities or the Algebra 1 station activities books might be of interest to  you.  Each book includes activities which provide opportunities for students to work in small groups and move from station to station.

 

Stop by our library to check out these and other instructional resources. Our office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Can't make it into the office? Some library items can be placed in the mail or delivered to your school.  Call us for more information.

 

Visit our on-line library catalog 

 
VDOE's Training and Technical Assistance Center at VCU 
http://www.ttac.vcu.edu
700 E Franklin Street, Suite 140
P.O. Box 843081
Richmond, VA 23284-3081
 

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