Good outcomes from behaviour learning
Research shows that students typically are either using behaviour to avoid work or obtain adult or peer attention. What we're trying to do is support teachers to look at more than the "topography" of behaviour.
Student behaviour and teacher confidence in managing students has been improved through a framework that is operating in almost 800 public schools.
The preliminary findings of a longitudinal study looking into the effects of Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL in schools was presented at a recent conference. It showed students had a greater sense of self concept and motivation. Teachers also showed they were better able to manage students and engage them in learning.
The study follows on from a pilot program in 2006 at 31 NSW public schools in Western Sydney that demonstrated PBL has positive effects on behaviour and learning.
The Western Sydney region, South Western Sydney region and University of Western Sydney are joint partners in the research, which has been funded by the Australian Research Council as part of an Australian Research Council Linkages Project.
In a report presented to the conference researchers wrote: "PBL schools displayed more positive behaviours, better knowledge about behaviours, high effort goal orientation, and higher value of schooling."
"This has been achieved because schools that implemented PBL placed value on consistency of approach within a school, local examples on the training and roles of coaches. Further, a stable, trained, collaborative leadership team and executive were positive factors in implementing PBL."
Conference organiser and coordinator, Positive Behaviour for Learning, Western Sydney Region, Jill Schofield said the aim of the conference was to build the capacity of teachers in schools to implement PBL. "It was about building the behavioural expertise of teachers - to support teachers to be able to look at the function or purpose behind a student's behaviour and then be able to put an appropriate intervention and set of strategies together," she said.
"What we aimed to achieve was to support teachers to understand they already possess the skills of being good teachers and that working out the functions of student behaviour actually is just part of the process of being an effective teacher. So essentially, we were trying to make it accessible for teachers."
Ms Schofield said over the past eight years PBL schools had been working on developing school cultures that gave teachers and students a common vision and consistent expectations.
The conference focused on the next phase of the process which looked at understanding the function of a student's behaviour.
"Research shows that students typically are either using behaviour to avoid work or obtain adult or peer attention. What we're trying to do is support teachers to look at more then the 'topography' of behaviour. Many good teachers already do this intrinsically and we're trying to support teachers to add more scientific basis to what they're doing and understand that if you can successfully identify the function of a student's behaviour it becomes easier to match an intervention and be proactive to support that student to develop a replacement behaviour that's more appropriate."
Further analysis of PBL in schools will take place with results released at the end of 2013.
Article from Side by Side magazine. Written by Kim Cotton.
What is Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)
Positive Behaviour Learning or PBL for short, is a school - wide behaviour initiative that employs a whole school systems approach to address problem behaviour and reduce it's effects on student outcomes and on the school community as a whole.
PBL encourages positive behaviour from students, which has been shown to improve their self concept and motivation to learn.
PBL was introduced two years ago at Coonamble High School, endeavouring to reduce the effects of negative behaviour within the school.
The schools PBL motto being CARE, RESPECT and PRIDE was chosen and is integrated into all areas of the school and it's activities.
To reward positive behaviours in classroom work or in the playground a token system is used, where students receive tokens for showing Care, Respect and Pride in the Classroom or in the playground which can then be exchanged fro prizes to the value of the tokens received.
Local Sponsors help with CHS PBL program
We wish to thank our local sponsors for their kind donation to the Positive Behaviour for Learning program at Coonamble High School.
- AJF Brien and Sons
- Elders Coonamble Branch
- Orana Education Centre
- Stan Leonard Stores
- Coonamble Bowling Club
Without their support we would not be able to offer the students the vast variety of rewards for showing Care, Respect and Pride in our classrooms and playground.