COLUMBIA – Thirty-nine public schools in 11 districts across the state are being recognized for improving their student discipline and school climate.

The schools are taking part in the state’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports Initiative that encourages teaching students how to act instead of telling them what not to do.  It promotes defining and reinforcing good behavior schoolwide, with discipline being consistent from class to class and adult to adult.

Across the state, 245 schools are in the Positive Behavior program and all were invited to apply for this initial recognition, according to Jane Shuler in the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Exceptional Children.

Shuler said the schools being honored have shown that they are:
●       Using data to make discipline decisions that affect students and staff;
●       Finding creative and engaging ways to acknowledge and reward positive student behavior;
●       Ensuring that the Positive Behavior approach is being practiced throughout the school;
●       Collaborating with their community;
●       Telling new students about the program when they enroll throughout the school year; and  
●       Including Positive Behavior Interventions and Support in all daily school activities to take advantage of each teaching opportunity.

Shuler said these schools are reporting significant improvement in overall discipline, with the number of office referrals dropping by 10 per cent to 90 per cent or better in some instances.

“The average decrease across the state in referrals to the office for discipline problems is approximately 40 per cent,” Shuler said. “That means we’re seeing better student academic and behavior results.”

Schools are being recognized in three ascending categories – Ribbon, Banner and Exemplar – according to the “quality and fidelity” of their Positive Behavior implementation, Shuler said.  

South Carolina Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports Recognition

Ribbon Schools

SCHOOL NAME                                             DISTRICT
Alice Birney
Middle                                          Charleston
Angel Oak Elementary                                    Charleston
Boundary Elementary                                     Newberry
Burke
Middle                                                  Charleston
Caughman Road Elementary                                Richland One
Grove
Elementary                                              Greenville
Oakway Intermediate                                     Oconee
Robert E. Howard
Middle                                  Orangeburg Five
Seneca Middle                                           Oconee
Springfield Elementary                                  Charleston
Stono Park Elementary                                   Charleston
Tamassee-Salem Middle/High                              Oconee
William Reeves Elementary                               Dorchester Two

Banner Schools

SCHOOL NAME                                             DISTRICT
A.C. Corcoran Elementary                                Charleston
A.R. Lewis Elementary                                   Pickens
Burns
Elementary                                              Charleston     
Brookdale Elementary                                    Orangeburg Five
C.E. Williams Middle                                    Charleston
Eagle Nest Elementary                                   Dorchester Two
Fort Dorchester Elementary                              Dorchester Two
Hursey
Elementary                                              Charleston
James Island
Elementary                                      Charleston
Laing Middle                                                    Horry
West Ashley
Middle                                          Charleston

Exemplar Schools

SCHOOL NAME                                             DISTRICT
Chestnut Oaks Middle                                    Sumter 17
Fort Johnson Middle                                     Charleston
Hagood Elementary                                       Pickens
Haut Gap
Middle                                          Charleston
Hunley Park
Elementary                                      Charleston     
James Island Middle                                     Charleston
Ladson
Elementary                                              Charleston
Lambs
Elementary                                              Charleston
Mellichamp Elementary                                   Orangeburg Five
Midlands Park
Elementary                                      Charleston
North Charleston
Elementary                              Charleston     
North Myrtle Beach Primary                              Horry
Pepperhill Elementary                                   Charleston
Sandlapper Elementary                                   Richland
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