Frequently Asked Questions

What is ESD?
Effective School Discipline (ESD) is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing research-based, school-wide systems to improve school climate and create safer and more effective schools. It involves a collaborative (team-based), proactive, process to developing effective strategies for addressing inappropriate behavior that impedes successful teaching/learning.

How is ESD a process?
ESD is not a packaged program or curriculum. It is a process that focuses on improving a school’s ability to establish integrated systems to support all faculty/staff and students. The components that comprise ESD are individualized to meet the specific needs of each school and are always changing to meet the specific needs of the school (e.g., population changes, sustainability of practices, multiple levels of inappropriate behavior).

How is ESD collaborative?
A core team, including a coach, that is representative of the entire school staff is formed and receives training on each component of ESD. The team develops ways to complete each step of the process using staff input to meet the specific needs of the school. Once a step is developed, the team shares it with the entire faculty/staff to ensure the staff is in agreement.

How is ESD proactive?
There is a change in focus from reactive (focusing on what students do wrong) to proactive (teaching and recognizing what students do right). It refers to an overall change in the school climate to a learning environment where students and teachers feel appreciated, safe, and respected. Systems of acknowledgement are used to assist faculty/staff in focusing on positive aspects of student behavior and to assist students in making better choices. The team uses data (discipline, attendance, academic) to identify patterns and possible causes of inappropriate student behavior. This information serves as the basis for developing effective interventions to decrease inappropriate behavior and increase desired behavior. The use of yearly, monthly, or more frequent data comparisons helps to prevent the same patterns of inappropriate behavior from reoccurring and assist the core team in adapting the schoolwide plan.

How is ESD instructive?
Today, students come from widely varying backgrounds and cultures that view “behavior” differently; thus, we cannot assume that students know how to behave appropriately when at school. Furthermore, many students are unable to make good choices when confronted with a conflict situation. Consequently, we must teach our students how to behave at school to ensure that they make better choices. With ESD, faculty/staff view inappropriate behavior in the same manner that problems in reading or math are viewed…as a skill deficit. When a skill deficit exists, we must teach the appropriate skill. By doing so, a unified and positive school climate forms informing students and staff that appropriate behavior is a priority in school.

What does ESD look like at school?

• Discipline DATA are used to help track progress and identify areas to target for intervention
• A CONSISTENT discipline referral PROCESS & PROCEDURES exists throughout the school
• Schools make use of school-wide EXPECTATIONS & RULES in specific settings to TEACH students appropriate behavior
• Schools use SYSTEMS of acknowledgement to recognize and encourage appropriate behavior and EFFECTIVE CONSEQUENCES to discourage inappropriate behavior

How long will it take to implement ESD?
Because Effective Schoolwide Discipline is a process, not a program, the length of time it takes to get started varies by school. Schools typically take between 3 to 5 years to fully implement all of the critical components of ESD. Specific components generally are introduced a few at a time. The process is ongoing and constantly adapted to meet the changing needs of the school and to address current concerns. Many schools begin noticing improvements right away. However, it may take a few years for the school’s philosophy regarding the handling of inappropriate behavior to change.

How will this affect me?
Faculty and staff must decide if ESD is a good fit for their school. Once the school obtains an 80% approval rate from faculty and staff (must include administration), the core team begins working on each of the critical components of ESD. Input/feedback from faculty, staff and students is included throughout planning and implementation. All members of the school faculty/staff participate in effective schoolwide discipline and adhere to the schoolwide expectations.

Effective Schoolwide Discipline in Virginia

When is the readiness packet due?
Once you have attended the ESD Regional Previews (see the Supts Memo), Cohort 4 Readiness Packets will be completed online August 2010 through December 2010.

When will we be notified?
Letters of notification to participate with Cohort 4 will be sent out to schools February 2010.

What is the process for getting involved with ESD?
The process for getting involved with ESD is outlined in the “Getting Started” flowchart.

Will any financial resources be provided to schools participating in this initiative?
Each school that meets all criteria will receive first year support, the exact funding will be determined on the basis of the number of schools accepted and the amount of available funds.

Who will provide training and professional development for this initiative?
The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) and the Training and Technical Assistance Centers (T-TAC) will provide initial training and on-going professional development support identified by division coordinators.

Where can I get more information about Effective Schoolwide Discipline in Virginia?
Visit our website at www.ttac.odu.edu/esd/ or visit www.PBIS.org.