Whole School Implementation

Changing the culture of a school does not happen overnight; in fact, it requires commitment, patience, education, and practice. The way adults respond to inappropriate student behavior is an important model for student conduct. In a Positive Discipline School, every adult:

• Understands that the quality of relationships and school climate are absolutely critical to successful student learning.
• Seeks to establish meaning and connection for students, families and staff in social and academic contexts.
• Implements principles of mutual respect and encouragement.
• Focuses on long-term solutions to misbehavior at individual, class and school-wide levels
• Views mistakes as opportunities to learn, and misbehavior as opportunities to practice critical life skills.
• Questions the tradition of adult control, rewards and punishments.

The long-term strategies for successful implementation of the Whole School Positive Discipline Social-Emotional Curriculum include:

• Training all school staff
• A commitment to school-side teaching of the full curriculum
• Intentionally making a respectful climate and culture a school priority
• Regular practice (for adults and students)
• The presence of an oversight team (Positive Discipline Support Team)
• The use of behavior and climate data as feedback
• Incorporating the model into school-wide practices (student council and students solving school-wide problems)
• Engaging the broader community, which includes parents and caregivers