Using Student Ambassadors to Create and Maintain a Positive Climate

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Newton County Schools - Clements Middle School

Second Presenter's Institution

Newton County Schools - Clements Middle School

Third Presenter's Institution

Newton County Schools - Clements Middle School

Fourth Presenter's Institution

NA

Fifth Presenter's Institution

NA

Location

Ballroom F

Strand #1

Safety & Violence Prevention

Strand #2

Academic Achievement & School Leadership

Relevance

This proposal relates to Safety & Violence Prevention because it will provide details on how a Title I School implemented Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS), receiving the highest level of recognition from the GA Department of Education, Operational, over the last four years to decrease the number of Office Discipline Referrals (ODRs) and promote positive behavior.

This proposal also relates to Academic Achievement & School Leadership because Clements Middle School received a CCRPI rating slightly above the GA State average for middle schools during the 2015-16 school year. When compared to schools with similar populations and demographics in GA, Clements Middle School's CCRPI rating was above 100% of those similar schools.

Brief Program Description

Clements Middle School embraced PBIS over the last four years. Learn how this Title I middle school worked to create a positive climate and safe environment that led to academic success through PBIS and use of Wolverine Ambassadors. K-12 educators may benefit from this presentation and will learn how to implement the key areas of PBIS to promote school safety and increase academic achievement.

Summary

Clements Middle School, located in Newton County, Covington, GA, implemented PBIS for the first time in August 2012. After the school’s first year of implementation, Clements reached Operational status, which is the highest level of achievement in regards to PBIS. Implementation of PBIS during the 2012-2013 school year, transformed the climate at Clements Middle into a positive one that also played a major role in increasing student achievement and academic success. In the spring of 2013, student state testing data showed a significant increase in all content areas. During the second year of implementation, 2013-2014, Clements Middle School maintained Operational status. This was not an easy task, however, through the hard work and commitment of the PBIS School-based Team, District Coach, and the concerted efforts of all Clements Middle School Staff, we were able to accomplish this again for a second time. After the third year of implementation (2014-15), Clements Middle School still continued to show progress and maintain a positive school climate with an Operational Status and resulting in a CCRPI Score above the state average with a Climate Rating of 4 Stars. The 2015-16 CCRPI results show that Clements was slightly above the state average and above 100% of schools in GA with similar demographics and characteristics. Now with the assistance of the Student PBIS Team or Wolverine Ambassadors, Clements plan to take positive interventions and supports to the next level. PBIS has definitely made a difference in the overall climate and academic success of students and staff at Clements Middle School.

Evidence

Over the last four years, Clements Middle School has implemented PBIS to promote a positive school climate, decrease office discipline referrals (ODRs) and to promote school safety. The practices that were implemented through PBIS proved to work as a result of an increase in student achievement and a steady reduction in ODRs. The increase in student achievement such as having a CCRPI score above the state average in 2015-16, scoring above 100% of similar schools, and receiving a STAR Climate rating of 4 two years consecutively as reported by the GA Department of Education is evidence that these practices are field tested and effective. PBIS is based on research and is an initiative supported and promoted by the GA Department of Education to increase school climate.

Biographical Sketch

Joy S. Warren, Bachelors in Middle Grades Education, Masters and Specialist in Educational Leadership and Administration (GA College & State University) Ms. Warren has taught in the middle school setting for 5 years in Washington County and in the elementary setting one year in Bibb County before becoming an assistant principal for 5 years in an elementary school in Peach County. She has served as a principal since 2008 in middle schools in the Peach and Newton County School Districts.

Tiphanie Dean, Bachelors in Middle Grades Education and School Counseling (Jackson State University) Mrs. Dean has taught in the middle school setting and served as School Counselor with the DeKalb County School District. She has also served a School Counselor, RtI Tier 3 Chair, 504 Coordinator, and PBIS Coach with Newton County Schools.

Meghan Roper, Masters Degree in Middle Grades Education (GA College & State University) Ms. Roper has served as a middle school teacher with the Bibb County School District and Newton County Schools since 2010. Ms. Roper has served as a Content Leader for the Social Studies Department, she has served on various committees such as the school's Leadership Team, PBIS Team, and has been recognized as Teacher of the Year for the 2016-2017 school year.

Keyword Descriptors

PBIS, Positive Climate, Safe Environment, Wolverine Ambassadors, Middle School, Operational Status, Positive Climate, Student Achievement

Presentation Year

2017

Start Date

3-6-2017 3:00 PM

End Date

3-6-2017 4:15 PM

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Mar 6th, 3:00 PM Mar 6th, 4:15 PM

Using Student Ambassadors to Create and Maintain a Positive Climate

Ballroom F

Clements Middle School embraced PBIS over the last four years. Learn how this Title I middle school worked to create a positive climate and safe environment that led to academic success through PBIS and use of Wolverine Ambassadors. K-12 educators may benefit from this presentation and will learn how to implement the key areas of PBIS to promote school safety and increase academic achievement.