- What is the District Positive Behavior Team?
The District Positive Behavior Team is a district-level equity intervention for students who commit chronic violations or whose severe behavioral difficulties require additional support and could result in a recommendation for expulsion. The Positive Behavior Team functions under the guidelines of Education Code Section 48263 and 48320 (SARB) and addresses behavioral issues which interfere with students’ educational success. When developing intervention plans, the Positive Behavior Team considers school placement and needed support services.
- Who serves on the District Positive Behavior Team panel?
The District Positive Behavior Team is chaired by an administrator from MDUSD Student Services Department or Special Education. Additional panel members include a school psychologist, a behaviorist, school social worker, and the referring administrator from high school, middle school, or elementary school. The referred student and his/her parent or guardian attend and participate in the meetings.
- When is it appropriate to refer a student to the District Positive Behavior Team?
The District Positive Behavior Team is an intervention for students with severe or chronic behavioral difficulties who are at risk for expulsion. When school site interventions have failed to bring about changes in behavior, the Positive Behavior Team assists school site administrators and parents/guardians to address student behavior that interferes with learning during the school day. Examples of site-based interventions include referral to the School Coordinated Care Team, referral for counseling, parent /guardian meetings and collaboration, behavior intervention plans, alternatives to suspension, restorative practices, conflict mediation, Student Success Team (SST), IEP, or Section 504 Plan meetings, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) and supports identified in the school site Response to Intervention (RtI) pyramid. Students with 5 or more days of cumulative suspensions may be referred to the District Positive Behavior Team (this requirement is waived for elementary school students). School administrators may also refer a student who commits an expellable offense, but who does not meet the requirements for expulsion.
- How do I refer a student to the District Positive Behavior Team?
The referring school administrator completes the one-page District Positive Behavior Team Referral Form, attaches the required supporting documentation (listed on the referral checklist) and submits the packet to the School-Linked Services office at Olympic High School. The School Linked Services office subsequently contacts the referring school administrator and provides the date and time of the District Positive Behavior Team meeting. Both the referring administrator and the PBT secretary inform the parent/guardian of the meeting date and time. Please inform parents/guardians that PBT is not punitive.
- What is the role of the school administrator (principal or co-administrator) who makes the referral to the District Positive Behavior Team?
The referring administrator completes the referral packet, attends the District Positive Behavior Team meeting during which he/she presents the reason for the referral and interventions provided at the school site. The referring administrator works with the team to develop intervention plans to support the student’s success at school. School information including the CUM file, up-to-date attendance and discipline records, and information regarding site-based interventions should be brought to the meeting.
- Who contacts the parent/guardian to notify them of the referral to the District Positive Behavior Team?
The Positive Behavior Team office will notify the parent/guardian by mail of the referral and the date and location of the meeting at which the student’s case will be discussed and an intervention plan developed. A District Positive Behavior Team staff member will contact the parent/guardian by phone prior to the meeting to emphasize that this is not punitive, but a collaborative planning meeting to avoid further disciplinary actions. School staff should confirm the meeting date/time with the parent/guardian as well. At the meeting an intervention plan will be developed which will be implemented at school, home and in the community. The team will reconvene within 6-8 weeks to review the student’s progress and make a determination if further intervention or disciplinary action is needed.
- What happens after the District Positive Behavior Team meets and develops an intervention plan for the student?
At the meeting, an intervention plan will be developed which will be implemented at school, home and in the community. The team reconvenes within 6-8 weeks to review the student’s progress and make a determination if further intervention or support is needed.
- What support is available to monitor the implementation of the intervention plan?
School social workers and site personnel assist with coordination and monitoring of the recommendations of the District Positive Behavior Team.
Summary: The Positive Behavior Team is a successful district-wide equity strategy that prevents students from being expelled or put forward for expulsion. Under Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), the Positive Behavior Team is a Tier 3 program. The Positive Behavior Team supports Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) by obviating the need for more restrictive school placements.
James Wogan helped to establish the Positive Behavior Team in Mt. Diablo Unified in 2005. Mildred Browne Ed.D. and James Wogan presented this model program at the Association for California School Administrators (ACSA) and other conferences. For more information, or to arrange a training for your school district / Local Education Agency (LEA), please contact James Wogan, LCSW, Administrator, School Linked Services. jameswogan@yahoo.com 925.250.5500
James Wogan LCSW 