Emerson’s Successful Behavior Program Garners State Honors

Students at one Joplin school SOARed their way to success this past year thanks to a new schoolwide behavior program!

In June, state education officials honored Emerson Elementary with a bronze award for their successful adoption of positive behavior support (PBS), a comprehensive approach to improving students’ behavior and academic performance. Emerson staff members used PBS throughout the 2008-2009 school year and saw significant results. Emerson’s office referrals decreased by a whopping 35%, far exceeding the staff’s goal of 25%.

“We are very proud that Emerson Elementary has been recognized for the hard work they put into a successful PBS program this year,” says Assistant Superintendent Dr. Angie Besendorfer. “The staff established high expectations for student behavior, and they communicated those expectations in a consistent way throughout their building every day.”

Schoolwide PBS focuses on encouraging positive student behavior, preventing disruptive behavior and tailoring academic strategies to individual students’ needs. The Emerson team developed four schoolwide behavior expectations that they referred to as S.O.A.R. – an easy-to-remember acronym for:

• Show respect
• Observe safety
• Accept responsibility
• Resolve conflict

Reinforcing these same expectations and using the same vocabulary throughout the entire school helped keep everyone on the same page.

“It doesn't matter where you are or what teacher you have, we all have the same expectations,” says Emerson Principal Nila Vance. “This program has not only increased positive student behaviors but it has really brought the Emerson staff together. They looked at discipline data every week and used the data to determine what expectation to focus on the following week. I am so proud of the hard work and dedication they have shown. They are an incredible group that never gives up on a goal.”

In honor of their successful PBS programs, Emerson and 132 other Missouri schools were recognized during the fourth annual Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support Summer Institute on June 7, 2009 in Osage Beach.

(posted 06/26/09)