LA PLATA, Md. (Aug. 29, 2008)—Twenty-seven Charles County public schools were honored by the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) on Wednesday, July 30, for their Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) programs.
Each of the 27 schools honored has implemented a PBIS program into their school. The program focuses on creating safe and more effective schools by developing and implementing research-based classroom discipline systems, reinforcing desirable behaviors and using clear and consistent responses to behavioral violations.
MSDE awards PBIS schools with one of three awards: Green Ribbon, Banner or Exemplar awards.
The following are Exemplar PBIS schools:
-- Berry Elementary School;
-- C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School;
-- Dr. Gustavus Brown Elementary School;
-- Indian Head Elementary School;
-- J.C. Parks Elementary School;
-- Malcolm Elementary School;
-- Mary H. Matula Elementary School;
-- Matthew Henson Middle School;
-- Piccowaxen Middle School;
-- T.C. Martin Elementary School; and
-- Walter J. Mitchell Elementary School.
The following are Banner PBIS schools:
-- Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School;
-- Dr. Thomas L. Higdon Elementary School;
-- Eva Turner Elementary School;
-- General Smallwood Middle School;
-- Henry E. Lackey High School;
-- Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School;
-- J.P. Ryon Elementary School;
-- Milton M. Somers Middle School;
-- North Point High School; and
-- William A. Diggs Elementary School.
The following are Green Ribbon PBIS schools:
-- Benjamin Stoddert Middle School;
-- Gale-Bailey Elementary School;
-- Mattawoman Middle School;
-- Maurice J. McDonough High School;
-- Arthur Middleton Elementary School; and
-- Theodore G. Davis Middle School.
Schools are nominated by their school system for the awards. Each school undergoes an on-site visit by members of the Maryland PBIS leadership team. Schools are evaluated using the systems evaluation tool (SET) and benchmarks of quality standards set by MSDE, through interviews with schools staff and students, and an overall determination of how well the school implemented critical features of the program. Exemplar is the highest PBIS award.
Schools are eligible for PBIS awards if they have an active administration, have a PBIS team that meets monthly, have submitted required forms on time and have collected and reviewed program data and results. Schools are also evaluated on data showing improvement and achievement as a result of the program, and documentation supporting the implementation of PBIS activities in the school.
Additionally, the school system honored 10 county schools for implementing exemplar programs into their schools. They are: Dr. Gustavus Brown, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Malcolm, Mary H. Matula, Walter J. Mitchell, Eva Turner, J.C. Parks and J. P. Ryon elementary schools and Matthew Henson and Piccowaxen middle schools.
Source: Charles County Public School System