The plan was implemented this school year after a full year of preparation and planning. A team consisting of Demey teachers, guidance counselors, and principal, Suzanne Gausman, participated in the school-wide Effective Behavior Support Training. This program began as a pilot program, which included five school teams from Pennsylvania. Each participating school designed a school-wide behavior plan specific to its individual strengths and needs. Demey's plan focuses on increasing student-engaged time and on promoting appropriate behavior.
Student engaged time is the time students spend actively engaged in learning.
Research shows that if students are working at their own level and experiencing success, they are more likely to behave appropriately. Teachers also encourage students to be involved in learning activities through the use of individual slates or whiteboards in math, spelling, reading, and other subject areas. The school-wide behavior plan promotes appropriate behavior in the cafeteria and on the playground, as well as in the classroom. The students learned the rules at the beginning of the school year. Teachers who participated in the training and classroom teachers presented examples of appropriate behavior.