Behavior and Academic Supports Decrease Disproportionality Gap

Post date: Feb 03, 2011 4:46:17 PM

Aware of the proportion of Hispanic/Latino students receiving large numbers of ODRs in the 2006-07 school year, Algonquin Middle School, CUSD 300, strengthened Tier 2 interventions for identified students and also took steps to increase attendance. By the 2008-09 school year, attendance for Hispanic/Latino students was up to 97%, 4% higher than the prior year, and honor roll status went from 29% to 52% for Hispanic/Latino students. Principal Peggy Thurow credits the success to PBIS team members’ focus on the data and willingness to discuss topics outside their comfort levels. All students also benefitted from the reduced use of punitive consequences. Overall, out of school suspension (OSS) events were reduced 46% from 54 in the  2006-07 school year to 24 in 2008-09.