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Winter 2008 - Vol. 3 No. 3 - National Association of Extension 4-H ...

Winter 2008 - Vol. 3 No. 3 - National Association of Extension 4-H ...

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<strong>Vol</strong>ume 3, Number 3, <strong>Winter</strong> <strong>2008</strong>Article 080303PA001“Catch ‘Em Being Good:”An <strong>Extension</strong> Service and State School SystemTeam Up to Promote Positive Outcomes for YouthKerri Wade and Allison NicholsWest Virginia University <strong>Extension</strong> ServiceAbstract: This feature article describes a collaboration between theWest Virginia University <strong>Extension</strong> Service and the West VirginiaDepartment <strong>of</strong> Education to implement the “Responsible Studentsthrough School Wide Positive Behavior Supports” program (RS-SWPBS)throughout the state. A case study <strong>of</strong> Grandview Elementary School inKanawha County illustrates the benefits that the collaboration broughtto local youth. West Virginia Department <strong>of</strong> Education established theprogram and brought local schools onboard, while educators from theWest Virginia University <strong>Extension</strong> Service became coaches and led theeffort to collect and analyze data. Results included the development <strong>of</strong>positive behaviors, a decrease in negative behaviors, and the creation <strong>of</strong>a positive school climate.IntroductionCreating a positive learning environment for youth in today’s schools is challenging foreducators. Many find that they must accommodate students with significant learning andbehavioral problems and work under conditions that are counterproductive to learning (Lewis &Sugai, 1999). Schools in West Virginia have been searching for ways to improve school climate,student behavior, and student achievement to meet the requirements <strong>of</strong> the <strong>No</strong> Child LeftBehind Act (NCLB, 2001). In 1993, the West Virginia Legislature passed state code requiring allschools to develop a preventative discipline program. Today, because <strong>of</strong> a partnership betweenthe West Virginia University <strong>Extension</strong> Service (WVUES) and the West Virginia Board <strong>of</strong>Education (WVDE), a program called Responsible Students through School Wide PositiveBehavior Supports (RS-SWPBS) has been established statewide. Its mission is to provide safelearning environments for children and youth focused on academic and behavioral achievement.

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