The Academy also implements a multi-tiered support system for positive behavioral support. The continuum of services includes positive support at all three levels; Tier I, Tier II and Tier III. As defined by the Michigan Integrated Behavior and Learning Systems Initiative, PBIS is, “a systems approach for establishing the social culture and behavioral supports needed for schools to be effective learning environments for all students.”
Tier 1 – The goal of Tier I behavioral interventions is to support and encourage at least 85% of the student population to meet or exceed the behavioral expectations set forth by the Academy.
S.O.A.R. (Safe, On task, Act Responsibly, and Respectful) – The Academy has developed and integrated school-wide behavioral expectations for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. These expectations include lesson plans for explicitly teaching the expectations, an updated yearly schedule for teaching the expectations school-wide, posters throughout the building and a reward system
to acknowledge students following these expectations.
Positivity Project (P2)- The Academy has adopted the Positivity Project (P2) into its existing multi-tiered systems of support. The Positivity Project provides resources, training, and strategies to teach positive psychology’s 24 character strengths and empower their students to build positive relationships. Resources, strategies and training are age/grade appropriate and individualized. The Academy has also integrated the P2 traits to crossover with our SOAR programming. Using the P2 resources, teachers tie character traits into SOAR expectations and use P2 traits to determine our Students of the Month. Each week a new character trait is preselected allowing teachers to adopt these traits into their lesson plans. The Academy also features a bulletin board highlighting weekly P2 character traits.
Eagle Pride – Eagle Pride is the Bully Prevention Program at the Academy. This program includes lessons for elementary and middle school students specifically addressing bullying. The program develops common language surrounding bullying as well as the “Stop, Walk, Talk”, process for dealing with a bully. Students engage in the Eagle Pride lessons at the beginning of the school year and as needed thereafter throughout the school year.
Tier II - The goal of Tier II behavioral interventions is to support and encourage 15% of the student population who are at risk, but not engaging in severe behavioral problems. The Behavior Interventionist, with input from support staff, uses behavioral data to determine which students will participate in Tier II interventions and which interventions would meet the needs of the student.
Tier III – The goal of Tier III behavior interventions is to support and encourage the 5% of the student population at the Academy that may engage in severe forms of high-risk behaviors and therefore require more intensive and individualized behavioral interventions. The Behavior Interventionist facilitates a formalized Functional Behavior Assessment resulting in an Individualized Behavioral Intervention Plan.
