Supporting Positive School Climate

During the 2015-2016 school year, 2.7 million students were suspended out of school, with students of color and students with disabilities generally expelled at higher rates than their peers.

Evidence does not show that discipline practices that remove students from instruction — such as suspensions and expulsions — help to improve student behavior or school climate.

School-wide and individual interventions that use proactive, preventative approaches that address the underlying cause or purpose of the behavior, and reinforce positive behaviors, have been associated with increases in academic engagement, academic achievement, and reductions in suspensions and school dropouts. The 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act specifically cites a framework that schools can use to build their efforts — multi-tiered systems of support. 

To effectively meet the needs of students, schools need to develop multi-tiered systems of support. This includes what is done for all students universally (Tier 1), what is done for small groups of students at risk (Tier 2), and what is done for individual students that are high risk (Tier 3). CREC experts offer practical strategies and ideas for all tiers to develop your school or district’s multi-tiered system of support. 

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports 

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive, comprehensive, and systemic support continuum designed to help students of all ages achieve social, behavioral, and learning success through school-wide support systems. PBIS improves overall school climate, decreases reactive management, maximizes student academic achievement, integrates academic and behavioral initiatives, and addresses the needs of students who have severe emotional and behavioral concerns. 

Student Consultation and Support 

This service is for schools or districts that have a situation that requires further review and suggestions from an expert in school climate. CREC experts can conduct a risk assessment, assess programs and services, and meet with the student(s), parents, and staff to ensure program success.