Positive behavioral interventions and supports in Maryland

Lynne A Weise, MEd, Division of Student Services, Maryland State Dept of Education, 200 W Baltimore St, 4th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21201, 4107670353, lweise@msde.state.md.us

Learn more about Maryland’s initiative and progress in implementing a school-wide systems approach to managing discipline that establishes high expectations, provides support for socially appropriate behavior, and establishes appropriate consequences for problem behaviors. The school-wide approach includes school staff, students, and families in the development, discussion, and implementation of rules and consequences. The goal of a school-wide approach is to create and maintain a positive learning environment for all students using data to drive all decisions. More than 150 Maryland’s schools have been trained to implement PBIS and there are many success stories demonstrating at least a 50% reduction in discipline data such as office referrals, suspensions and expulsions.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

1.Identify the components of establishing school wide expectations, understanding the importance of providing rewards for positive behavior, responding to behavioral violations and establishing and maintaining an effective information system.
2.Identify the critical elements of establishing a successful PBIS Team in a school.
3.Identify school based data sources which will drive decisions regarding violence prevention strategies

Keywords: Violence Prevention, School-Based Programs

Related Web page: www.marylandpublicschools.org/pbis/pbis/index.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Roundtable: Innovative School Health Strategies and Programs

The 132nd Annual Meeting (November 6-10, 2004) of APHA