Whole School Implementation

Changing the culture of a school does not happen overnight; in fact, it requires commitment, patience, education, and practice. The way adults respond to inappropriate student behavior is an important model for student conduct. In a Positive Discipline School, every adult:

  • Understands that the quality of relationships and school climate are absolutely critical to successful student learning.
  • Seeks to establish meaning and connection for students, families and staff in social and academic contexts.
  • Implements principles of mutual respect and encouragement.
  • Focuses on long-term solutions to misbehavior at individual, class and school-wide levels
  • Views mistakes as opportunities to learn, and misbehavior as opportunities to practice critical life skills.
  • Questions the tradition of adult control, rewards and punishments.

The long-term strategies for successful implementation of the Whole School Positive Discipline Social-Emotional Curriculum include:

  • Training all school staff
  • A commitment to school-side teaching of the full curriculum
  • Intentionally making a respectful climate and culture a school priority
  • Regular practice (for adults and students)
  • The presence of an oversight team (Positive Discipline Support Team)
  • The use of behavior and climate data as feedback
  • Incorporating the model into school-wide practices (student council and students solving school-wide problems)
  • Engaging the broader community, which includes parents and caregivers
Some excerpts from the Positive Discipline Leaders’ Guide.