Monterey County working to combat youth violence with new behavioral program

Schools in Monterey County are adding something new to their lesson plans and it’s not necessarily based on academics. A new program is teaching kids how to behave in hopes of reducing violence on and off campus.

On Thursday, educators said you can have the best lesson plans in the world, but if your having behavioral issues in the classroom it will negatively impact students learning and their future.

“I’ve seen a lot of transformation here but this is the best transformation I’ve seen so far,” said Seth Tanner, Positive Behavior Interventions and Support team lead and district coach for Salinas Union High School District.

Mount Toro High School is one of more than 50 schools in Monterey County implementing a new program aimed at reducing bullying, fighting and profanity on and off campus.

It’s called Positive Behavior Interventions and Support or PBIS.

“We live in a world that is flooded with media, flooded with internet,” said Mount Toro principal Richard Moreno. “Through programs like this we want kids to start thinking how can I respond instead of react.”

The county says PBIS is different in its approach because it teaches students what’s expected of them instead of assuming they already know.

It’s also based on a three tier model.

“Tier one we do school-wide expectations,” said Reba Morga, PBIS coordinator for Salinas Union High School District. “Students that have more needs might go into tier two and we do more targeted interventions. “Then at the third level we do more individualized plans.”

At Mount Toro the program is rolling out through posted signs and weekly lessons from teachers centered around educating students how to be motivated, organized, respectful and engaged.

“It’s more of a push toward your goal instead of having a classroom full of rowdy kids,” said Mount Toro student Quintin Roach.

When students meet expectations they are publicly acknowledged and awarded Toro Chips which can be redeemed for prizes.

“When you acknowledge their positive behavior they seem to want to do more,” said Tanner.

Since implementing PBIS educators said expulsions and suspensions have gone down.

Students told KION the program is doing much more than just teaching them proper behavior.

“It’s very motivating,” said Roach. “It teaches you that nothing in life should stop you.”

PBIS is funded through federal and state money, costing about $2.7 million.

Parents are also involved and asked to attend regular meetings for updates on the program.