Talbot Schools Receive Positive Behavior Interventions Program Recognition

At a recent conference held at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, awards were given to Maryland schools for achieving success with school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) systems during the 2018-2019 school year.

Eight Talbot County Public Schools received awards as follows:  Chapel District Elementary (Gold), Easton Elementary – Dobson (Gold), Easton Elementary – Moton (Gold), Easton High (Gold), St. Michaels Elementary (Silver), St. Michaels Middle High (Silver), White Marsh Elementary (Silver), Easton Middle (Bronze).  (Tilghman Elementary received a Bronze award in 2018 but was not evaluated in 2019 due to a technical issue.) All of the schools and their administrative teams were recognized for this important achievement by the Board of Education during their August meeting.

Easton Elementary – Dobson (Gold), Easton Elementary – Moton (Gold)

School-wide PBIS is a system of support that involves proactive strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive learning environments. Through PBIS, a continuum of positive behavior support is implemented in both classroom and non-classroom settings.  Teaching behavioral expectations and rewarding students for demonstrating them is a much more positive approach than just reacting to misbehavior with discipline.  The purpose of school-wide PBIS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm.  (www.pbis.org)

A School-Wide Evaluation Tool (SET) assessment is required and a certain score must be obtained in order to earn one of the PBIS Recognition Awards.  The SET reports were completed by outside PBIS evaluators from Wicomico County. For GOLD, the school PBIS team must achieve an overall SET score of 90% or above.  For SILVER, the school PBIS team must achieve an overall SET score of 85% or above.  For Bronze, the school PBIS team must achieve an overall SET score of 80% or above.

“Our schools have made a solid commitment to their PBIS interventions and strategies. They have closely monitored their outcomes, and the results speak for themselves” said Dr Kelly Griffith, Superintendent.  “Three years ago, we had just two schools recognized, and this year we had eight.  We are very pleased with the impact of PBIS on our school climates.”