In less than three years, the Glen Mills Schools has successfully earned the coveted Tier I status in the School Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program.

The nationally recognized, evidence-based program teaches behavioral expectations in order to create a positive and safe learning environment.

Research has shown that a positive school climate is linked to improved behavior and academic achievement. Glen Mills, an open residential facility for court-adjudicated youth between the ages of 12 and 18, adopted the initiative in 2014, and formed a core team of staff members to lead the program. It focuses on three behavioral expectations:

• Be Respectful
• Be Responsible
• Be Ready

“I have always believed that the core to the whole PBIS program is to create a conducive environment where everyone can learn,” said Dr. Randy Ireson, executive director of Glen Mills. “This is the essence of a great school because everybody is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.”

In order to achieve Tier I (Primary Prevention) status, schools must demonstrate that best practices are in place for behavioral intervention, including teaching and reinforcing appropriate behaviors, defining rules and expectations, and having reward systems.

Glen Mills accomplished this in just two and a half years, earning 100 percent in all fields of the Standard Evaluation Tool.

“By implementing a PBIS framework, we lay the groundwork for success not only behaviorally, but socially and academically here and beyond,” said Dr. Ireson.