Suspensions are commonly used in schools as a method intended to teach students that certain behaviors are not acceptable, as well as to improve school safety. However, decades of research have shown that suspensions are ineffective for changing student behavior and can lead to worse student outcomes. 

Although suspensions may be justified for violent offenses, suspensions are often used for nonthreatening problem behaviors, such as chronic absenteeism or minor disruptions. Many of these common yet challenging behaviors can be averted through implementing preventative school wide discipline systems (National Association of Secondary School Principals, 2023).

The Indiana Administrative Team wanted to create a program that teaches accountability with three key factors.

1.   Implementing alternative practices to suspensions

2.  Changing the behavior of the students

3.  Teaching coping skills and sustainability 

        

On September 4, 2023, the Indiana Reset Program was created. What is the Reset Program? It’s an alternative and progressive discipline model that teaches students to self-reflect and understand how their decisions can impact others. Indiana School doesn't use the word detention. When some students hear the word detention, they begin to think negatively.

Students are referred to the Reset Program by the classroom teacher and/or when a referral is put into S.W.I.S.S. (School Wide Information System). Once the referral has been reviewed, the Principal and/or Assistant Principal determines the reset. When the students enter the Reset Room, they are required to complete a Reflection Form. The form allows for the reset teacher to review the behavior of individual students using the Root Cause Analysis methodology by asking clarifying questions.

1.  What was the antecedent that triggered the behavior?

2. What is happening environmentally that could have contributed to the incident?

3. What is the frequency and duration of the incident? 

After the completion of the form, the students have an individual conversation with the reset teacher, and participate in a Restorative Conversation. The conversation is for students to speak to the infraction and identify steps to ensure it will not reoccur. 

This year, the Indiana School has added a Preset Program to their menu of alternative supports for students. Indiana School believes that small wildcat steps lead to wildcat achievements. We are enhancing our bell-to-bell instruction by adjusting the Preset and Reset times. Preset is from 7:10 to 7:40 A.M. and Reset is from 2:30 – 3:00 P.M. The Assistant Principal will reach out to the families to determine the best time for students to complete the program.

The Preset and Reset Program aligns with Indiana School’s Six-tiered Discipline Model.

1. Written Warning/Phone Call Home

2. Lunch/Recess Reset

3. Preset at 7:10 AM until 7:40 A.M. or a Reset from 2:30 PM until 3:00 PM

4. In-person Parent Conference

5. Loss of Privileges (including but not limited to Wildcat Fridays) 

6. Out-of-School Suspension (Days may vary)

 

The Indiana School pride ourselves in the ABCs of an effective culture and climate: Accountability, Behavior, and Connections in order to reach the minds and hearts the students. If you would like to read more on the benefits to alternative discipline models, please click on the link below.

 

To read more on discipline alternatives, please click on the link below.