Seven years ago, Lenoir County Schools adopted the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) initiative to promote appropriate behavior in the schools.
That initiative is likely the reason for decreased school violence rates in Lenoir County over the past two years.
In the 2010-11 school year, there were 49 violent acts committed, including 20 possession of weapon counts. The following year, violent acts had dropped to 38, including only eight of possessions of weapons.
The program, made up of teams from each school, examines behavioral data and implements the necessary criteria to achieve a change in discipline.
“It’s a really systematic approach,” said PBIS Coordinator Jill Croom, noting the process can take between three and five years.
The approach was introduced to Lenoir County in 2007, piloted in target schools across the state in six year before.
Lenoir County high schools didn’t implement PBIS until last year, but every elementary school and middle school was on board five years ago.
“(The schools) noticed that we needed to change the way we handle discipline in the schools,” Croom said. “The ultimate goals are to decrease inappropriate behavior and at the same time increase academic achievement. It rewards positive behavior.”
Each school literally spells out a matrix, indicating behavior expectations from students. At Southeast Elementary for example, PROPS stands for be Prepared, Respect others, maintain Order, respect Property, and be Safe.
“The PBIS matrix details exactly what our expectations are of every aspect of school, from the bust to the classroom,” said Nicholas Harvey II, Rochelle Middle School principal. “If they don’t meet expectations, we let parents know.”
Harvey said the incentives PBIS offers students correlates to the slight decrease in Lenoir County school violence.
“When kids are recognized for doing the right thing, it encourages them to continue to do the right thing,” he said.
He added administrators’ visibility on campus prevents inappropriate behavior.
Rochelle — which will be recognized as a model school this year for implementing 90 percent of PBIS expectations school-wide — started its PBIS initiative four years ago and has since lowered the number of behavior referrals by 65 percent in three of those years.
“I would say I’m 100 percent satisfied with PBIS,” said Banks Elementary School Principal Cynthia Faulkner. “It’s really about teaching students the positives.”
Banks was spotlighted last year along with Moss Hill Elementary School for a 95 percent school-wide implementation of PBIS. Students are highlighted when they make good conduct grades or have a positive referral, which are sent home for parents to sign.
When PBIS teams meet each month, they discuss behavioral data and determine what measures need to be taken for each respective school. Teachers receive additional training on ways to deal with and identify behavioral issues that could lead to inappropriate conduct from students.
The most risky act of violence among LCS the last two years was possession of a controlled substance, totaling 18 for 2010-2012.
“Teaching expectations early on is a preventative measure,” Croom said. “PBIS has made a huge difference in the decrease (in school violence).”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
BREAKOUT BOX:
LenoirCountyschool violence acts statistics from 2010-2012
2010-11:
5 assaults on school personnel
1 kidnapping
1 possession of alcoholic beverage
18 possessions of controlled substance
2 possessions of firearm
20 possessions of weapon
2 sexual offenses
TOTAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE — 49
2011-12:
1 assault resulting in serious injury
1 bomb threat
4 possessions of alcoholic beverage
18 possessions of controlled substance
2 possessions of firearm
8 possessions of weapon
2 sexual assaults
2 sexual offenses
TOTAL ACTS OF VIOLENCE — 38