District strategies for improving student behavior outcomes

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In every school, there is a moment when a breakthrough happens. A learner who once struggled with behavior turns it around. How does this change happen? Often it’s because an educator or staff member became dedicated to supporting that learner. Now imagine a district team makes a commitment to improving student behavior across schools. Not only does this help individual learners succeed, but it transforms entire school communities.

In this post, we’ll explore how your district can realistically make a commitment to improving student behavior outcomes. We’ll break down the challenges districts face, outline steps to support every learner and highlight digital tools that make this goal easier.

What student behavior looks like in today’s classrooms and school campuses

According to the IRIS Center at Vanderbilt University, “Many students come to school ready to learn and possess the skills they need to support that learning. They make their needs known in constructive ways, manage frustration, and interact smoothly with adults and peers alike.”

Some students, though, don’t have these skills for a variety of reasons, and their behavior may interrupt instruction and learning. These types of behaviors are called “challenging or acting-out behaviors.” 

Here is what these behaviors could look like in classrooms or on K-12 campuses.

• Low-level disruptions: Chatting out of turn, wandering around without permission, sneaking a peek at their cell phone
• Disengagement: Zoning out, putting their head down or skipping assignments
• Defiance or disrespect: Ignoring adult’s directions or arguing
• Aggression: Physical outbursts or bullying in classrooms or hallways
• Property misuse: Breaking or damaging items around the classroom or the school campus

The causes can range from academic struggles to the need for a more engaging lesson to social issues. 

Three steps to improving student behavior 

The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) offers a flexible, proven way to help every learner succeed and give them the level of support they need when it comes to instruction and behavior. This three-step behavior plan for learners will help your district teams, school administrators and educators improve student behavior across the district. 

A tiered plan helps your district team:

• Be proactive in identifying and responding to student behavior needs.
• Focus school teams around an aligned approach. This ensures that teachers, administrators, special education teams, counselors and other staff members use the same strategies.
• Be flexible in the type of support you provide as learners’ behavior progresses and their needs change.
• Support learners based on their needs rather than labeling them. This means that learners are not stigmatized, and that they are allowed to show growth.

Tier 1: Universal support for every learner

Tier 1 of MTSS includes the universal actions that support every classroom and area of the school. The idea is to prevent problems before they start and build a welcoming, positive environment. 

Lisa Monthie, education expert and Hāpara Engagement Manager explains that Tier 1 in instruction is “what ‘all’ learners receive in the form of academic and social-emotional instruction and supports.” 

Just like in instruction, Tier 1 for behavior support is also geared toward all learners. Here are three student behavior strategies using universal support.

Build relationships

Encourage teachers and staff members to get to know learners throughout the school. When kids feel understood and teachers and administrators take time to build positive relationships, behavior problems often diminish. 

For instance, an assistant principal might get to know groups of learners throughout the first few weeks of school during lunchtime, recess or before the first bell rings. When both teachers and other staff members on the school campus build connections with learners, it creates an environment where learners feel welcomed and want to be.

Teach social-emotional learning

Incorporating social-emotional instruction helps learners develop empathy and make better behavior choices, creating more compassionate school communities in your district. 

Tier 2: Targeted help for those who need more support

Some learners need extra help when the Tier 1 supports aren’t working for them. This is where targeted support comes in, often with small groups of a few learners. When using Tier 2 supports, it’s best to focus on one challenge area at a time with a group. For example, a school staff member may work with a group of learners who need help with emotional regulation or getting to class on time.

Check-in/check-out (CICO)

For the CICO strategy, assign a staff member to be a mentor for group daily check-ins. Set simple behavior goals for learners at the start of the day, and then review them together in the afternoon.

Social skills groups

This Tier 2 support could look like focused group sessions on conflict resolution or managing emotions with peers.

Student behavior contracts

Another strategy is to get the learner and their team of adults (teacher, counselor, parent or guardian) aligned with a student behavior contract. Clearly lay out behavior goals for the learner and explain how progress will be tracked and celebrated.

Other strategies include:

• Giving learners breaks during class activities
• Allow learners to practice social skills with roles in the classroom or school such as helping teachers or coaches
• Role-playing social situations
• Behavior logs based on the area of focus

Tier 3: Individualized, intensive support

Some learners face bigger challenges, with patterns of severe behavior issues that include dangerous or highly disruptive behaviors. In this case, a learner needs intensive, individualized behavior support. 

The key is understanding the root of the problem and creating a plan that truly fits the issue. As one school district explains, “The goal of Tier 3: Intensive/Individual Support is to diminish problem behavior and to increase the student’s adaptive skills so that the student may be successful in the learning environment.”

A school team should be formed for the Tier 3 support plan, including an administrator and team members with experience providing Tier 3 support in the school. The team should only include personnel who are trained in observation, interview techniques and data analysis. This might include special educator teachers and school psychologists, for example. 

Here are two types of plans that support behavior goals for students with severe needs who haven’t responded to Tier 1 or Tier 2.

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

An FBA is a formal process that explores the “why” behind the student’s challenging behaviors. During this process the Tier 3 team will identify data to understand why the student is exhibiting behavior patterns, and then they will design interventions that are personalized for the learner.

A student behavioral tracking system helps the team stay informed and continue to base their plan on data. It also allows for flexibility as the learner makes progress.

Bringing technology into your district behavior plan

In addition to a three-tier behavior plan, when you adopt the right tools, you can quickly improve student behavior across your district.

Keep students focused with Hāpara Classroom Management

Teachers are constantly battling distracted, off-task online behavior. Luckily, Hāpara’s classroom management solution is built to make it easy to keep learners on task.

Here’s what Hāpara Classroom Management helps teachers do:

• See what’s every learner’s browser activity in real time in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge
• Instantly send helpful links and resources directly to students’ screens
• Focus students on specific websites for assignments or assessments
• Close or block websites that are distracting or unsafe
• Personalize support with instant messaging and robust student group features
• Gain instant access to learners’ Google Drives to check on progress

More engagement and fewer distractions means students can meet their behavior goals.

Make hallways safer with Hāpara Hall Pass

Your school teams no longer have to chase paper passes or lose track of students who are outside of the classroom. Hāpara Hall Pass streamlines student movement, giving staff real-time visibility into hallway activity. This makes it much easier to reduce disruptions and ensure that behavior issues don’t arise on the school campus.

Proactively support safety and wellness with Gaggle

Some student behavior issues signal deeper needs, such as wellness or safety concerns. That’s where Gaggle steps in to help school districts.

Gaggle Web Filter

Gaggle’s dynamic real-time web filter ensures students are only accessing safe, appropriate content online.

Gaggle Safety Management

Gaggle’s wellness tool uses advanced technology and human experts to scan digital activity for signs that a student is struggling or at risk. Early alerts mean help can come before at-risk behavior becomes serious.

When you pair solutions like Hāpara and Gaggle, it’s easy to create an environment where students can stay on track. Improving student behavior outcomes isn’t about punishment or control. It’s about support and creating a more positive culture. When you put a behavior plan in place and adopt the best digital tools, you empower teachers and help every student succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are examples of student behavior in schools?
Student behavior examples include listening to instructions, participating in class and showing respect to people and property across the school campus. 

What are five challenging behaviors in the classroom?
Five challenging behaviors are inattention, disrespect, disruption, defiance and aggression.

How do you set behavior goals for students?
Behavior goals for students are set using clear expectations, student behavior contracts and regular progress reviews.

What is a behavior plan for students?
A behavior plan for students is an individualized strategy that outlines support, interventions and desired outcomes to improve student behavior.

What tools can improve student behavior?
Tools like Hāpara Classroom Management, Hāpara Hall Pass and Gaggle safety and wellness tools can improve student behavior by keeping students focused, ensuring safety and providing proactive support.