The power of positive reinforcement is palpable at the Knox County Career Center, science teacher Amy Rine said.
“I do think it is creating a much better school climate,” she told the Mount Vernon News. “Kids aren’t so much living in a fear of being punished, but they are doing the right thing because it’s the right thing. And sometimes they get a pat on the back and a reward for it ”
The Career Center was recently honored by the state of Ohio for its work in a teaching strategy called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This is the fifth year the Knox Career Center has used PBIS, Rine said.
“PBIS involves teaching students expected behaviors in a consistent and positive way, modeling and acknowledging those behaviors, and helping all students meet expectations and be successful,” the center said in a news release. “PBIS has been shown to improve student achievement, student behavior and school climate.”
The center was one of 63 schools to be honored with silver awards from the Ohio PBIS Network, a division of the State Department of Education, the news release said.
The silver award means that a school has completed 75% of the second of three tiers in the program.
“Eventually, we will go for gold,” Rine said. “That would be documenting that we are providing Tier 3 interventions. We’re providing them, but our group hasn’t gone yet to the point of documentation of it, which is what the state requires for gold.”
PBIS requires a long-term commitment from school systems, usually taking three to eight years to implement a high-quality program, the state said.
Rine stated that under the program students are rewarded for many things, including perfect attendance, good grades and also for helping other students.
“It’s promoting the positive culture of a team environment, a collaborative environment,” she said.
Sometimes students will tell Rine, “I’ve never done well in science before; I can’t believe I have a good grade.”
She credits the PBIS program with creating an environment where students are able to thrive.
“We’re open to trying different things to help kids find out what works for them,” Rine said. “I really think that’s making a difference.”
