Page 56 - Superintendent Report 2023-24

In addition to continuous professional development, PBS practices, and classroom management, two expectation assemblies
have been conducted to review and reteach the expected behaviors. A new school-wide reward system at Congress MS was
implemented where students earn points daily and teachers record the points on a school-wide spreadsheet. Students are
rewarded weekly based on points earned, teachers are rewarded and recognized each month, and all rewards align with the
Participation, Awareness, Willingness, Safety (PAWS) expectations.

An increase in the use of positive systems is
evident in the number of schools that meet
Model School Status from Florida’s Positive
Behavioral Interventions and Support project
(an increase from 51 to 88). For example, the
Exceptional Student Education site, Royal
Palm School, and alternative education site,
Riviera Beach Preparatory Academy, have
earned the highest platinum status.

Through continued support and collaboration
with schools, the PBS team had a positive
impact on teachers, students, and staff. CHAMPS Training

Positive Behavior Support
Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a District-wide behavior initiative implemented by schools to improve student behavior
and is based upon seven essential components:

1. Administrator support, participation, and leadership
2. Common purpose and approach to discipline – The Team Process
3. Define positive expectations (for all students & staff)
4. Procedures for teaching expected behaviors
5. Continuum of procedures for encouraging expectations
6. Continuum of procedures for discouraging inappropriate behavior
7. Procedures for ongoing monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the PBS system
Objective C1 of the District’s Strategic Plan is to “Enhance a sense of belonging, safety, and acceptance for all students.”
Below are the PBS principles and how they support this objective:
• Focus of discipline is on academic & behavioral success
• Model is for all students, all staff, and all settings
• Emphasizes prevention
• Uses research-validated practices
• Coordinated by a PBS Team at each school
• Emphasizes an instructional approach
• Uses data to guide decisions

The Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) framework focuses on preferred behaviors, intervention, and prevention.
Schools select three to five guidelines for success, known as Universal Guidelines. Expectations are developed and visibly
posted around campus, becoming a common language among staff and students. In FY22, 88 schools achieved Model School
Status through Florida’s Positive Behavior and Intervention Support Project (FLPBIS), which included 41 bronze awards, 4
silver awards, 16 gold awards, and 27 platinum awards*. During this particular year, the credentials for this status changed.
Prerequisites and requirements were rigorous, and an additional level was included (platinum), which meant schools had
higher expectations to meet. District schools, despite the multiple challenges, maintained this achievement compared to
FY21.
*FLPBIS awards are lagging data.

56 // Superintendent Annual Report 2022 - 2023