The Tennessee Behavior Supports Project (TBSP) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (funded by the Tennessee Department of Education) is proud to announce that Paulette Elementary School has been selected as a 2020-2021 bronze level RTI2-B Model of Demonstration School. There are over 1,800 schools across the state of Tennessee. Each year a small percentage of schools meet criteria to be selected as an RTI2-B Model of Demonstration School based on implementation of their school-wide behavior systems.
PES has been a participant in training and technical assistance provided by TBSP and has undergone the process of implementing a positive and proactive behavioral systems framework for all students. The RTI2-B (Response to Instruction and Intervention for Behavior) framework consists of:
• Identifying common behavioral expectations across campus
• Teaching
• Re-teaching
• Reinforcing
• Regularly acknowledging students, faculty and families for exhibiting these expectations.
PES has applied this framework to improve the climate, culture, and proactive disciplinary practices which directly impacts student engagement and school connectedness. In meeting this award criteria, PES demonstrated use of school-wide behavioral data to inform teaching practices and levels of support provided to students based on need. Twice per year, they also reflected on overall fidelity to guide their implementation of the RTI2-B framework.
PES frames their positive behavior system on the school’s pledge:
“I am a Paulette Panther. I am part of the PRIDE. I pledge to be Positive, Respectful, Involved, and Dependable in order to achieve Excellence each day.” These PRIDE expectations are the driving force behind the PES community; students, staff, and families alike.
It is TBSP’s goal that no school in Tennessee should have to travel more than 45 minutes to see an exemplary school implementing RTI2-B. As a bronze level RTI2-B Model of Demonstration School, Paulette can now serve as a mentor to other schools across East Tennessee. This award will be presented during the Partners in Education Conference hosted by the Tennessee Department of Education.