U-46 schools recognized for proactive approach to improving school culture

Five Elgin Area School District U-46 schools earned top regional recognition for promoting a positive and safe school culture through an approach called "Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports" (PBIS). Larkin High School and Huff and Ontarioville elementary schools earned top recognition as "Platinum" PBIS schools in 2015, joining Glenbrook and Highland elementary schools who both made the A-list for their second consecutive year.

Larkin is the only high school in the state to reach the top level this year.

The Midwest PBIS Network awarded 47 out of the district's 53 schools with one of four levels of recognition, from bronze to platinum, based on each school's level of implementation practices and outcomes. Larkin is also one of three schools, along with Bartlett High School and Eastview Middle School, to earn first-time recognition this year through the organization.

"PBIS really works and its one of the reasons we've been able to reduce suspensions and expulsions in our schools," said Tony Sanders, Chief Executive Officer at U-46. "We applaud our staff, students and families for their dedication to this more comprehensive and holistic approach to improving school culture and safety so that we can better focus on teaching and learning."

PBIS is a schoolwide approach to establishing school culture and responding to discipline issues that emphasize proactive measures including:

• Defining and teaching behavioral expectations

• Acknowledging appropriate behavior

• Applying a continuum of interventions and supports to address problem behavior

• Systematically collecting and using data for decision making

District teachers and administrators note that PBIS offers a systematic way to identify students who need help and provide students with that help. It offers an organized and intentional process for ensuring students get the targeted support they need.

The district has implemented PBIS and other approaches and initiatives to hold students accountable and keep them in school rather than applying out-of-school suspensions or expulsions. This has helped the district reduce its out-of-school suspensions from 7,082 to 1,827 in seven years, between 2008 and 2015, and has cut the number of expulsions from 16 in 2013-14 to one last school year.

While PBIS focuses on shaping behavior, the approach positively impacts quality of teaching and learning in academic areas as well.

Jon Tuin, principal at Larkin High School, concedes the school was initially hesitant to take on another new initiative but staff researched the approach in spring 2014 and 80 percent voted in favor of applying PBIS to the Elgin-based high school in 2014-15 in an effort to improve the school's culture and pride. The idea of reaching a certain level of recognition, much less the highest level, wasn't even on the staff's radar, Tuin said.

By the second semester last year, the school was already seeing the benefits. Tuin cites a reduction in referrals for tardiness, disrespect and other problem behavior. Scores on district writing assessments also improved. Each day now starts with public announcements and the reminder to "Be involved, be engaged, be prepared and above all, be respectful and safe because your future depends on it."

"I think there's a more positive vibe," Tuin said of the school. "It's calm. People are proud to be Royals which was one of our purpose statements for the whole PBIS movement."

More than 50 community agencies and organizations support PBIS intervention groups and mentoring in district schools. Larkin High School PBIS team members will present sessions at the PBIS National Leadership Forum in Rosemont next month. Midwest PBIS is an educational organization that supports implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in state, local, and community agencies throughout the Midwest. The recognition program began in 2009.

Below is a table listing the district schools and their level of PBIS recognition for 2014-15.

• Platinum: Larkin High School, Glenbrook Elementary, Highland Elementary, Huff Elementary and Ontarioville Elementary.

• Gold: Streamwood High School, Tefft Middle School, Bartlett Elementary School, Channing Memorial Elementary, Hilltop Elementary, Laurel Hill Elementary, Lowrie Elementary, Nature Ridge Elementary, Ridge Circle Elementary, Sunnydale Elementary and Timber Trails Elementary.

• Silver: Elgin High School, Abbott Middle School, Canton Middle School, Eastview Middle School, Ellis Middle School, Kenyon Woods Middle, Kimball Middle School, Centennial Elementary, Century Oaks Elementary, Fox Meadow Elementary, Hanover Countryside Elementary, Harriet Gifford Elementary, Heritage Elementary, Illinois Park Center for Early Learning, Liberty Elementary, Lords Park Elementary, Oakhill Elementary, Otter Creek Elementary Parkwood Elementary, Ronald O'Neal Elementary, Sycamore Trails Elementary, Washington Elementary and Wayne Elementary.

• Bronze: Bartlett High, Gifford Street High School, South Elgin High School, Larsen Middle School, Creekside Elementary, Garfield Elementary, Hillcrest Elementary and Lincoln Elementary.