Boise State hosts symposium to address behavior challenges in Idaho schools

Educators from across southern Idaho gathered at Boise State on
February 26 to address a growing concern in schools - student behavior challenges.

The symposium, hosted by the College of Education, brought school leaders and teachers together to focus on practical, research-based strategies to promote positive behavior and reduce classroom disruptions.

Meeting the moment

"We wanted to respond to the need we've heard from educators," said Monique Pinczynski, assistant professor of special education. "Educators need support with behavior and practical tools they can actually use."

The symposium included presentations by recognized experts in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), an evidence-based framework that helps schools organize systems, practices and data to support students' behavioral, academic and mental health while creating positive and safe learning environments.

Research shows that when schools commit to this framework, it can improve school climate and reduce discipline by emphasizing proactive, positive support over punishment.

Keynote speaker Kathleen Strickland-Cohen, associate professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Utah, and the Utah state leader for the National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, spoke about the tiers of support needed in schools to build a common culture based on a foundation of support for students and staff.

"We see that [this framework] can improve the overall health of the school, and we see safety improve from students and staff," Strickland-Cohen said. "We need systems in place so we are supporting student behavior, the staff's implementation of those practices over time, and we need to make sure we have the data at our fingertips to make those decisions."

Practical tools for educators

Sessions throughout the day focused on practical, data-informed strategies from improving classroom management to strengthening school-wide systems. Participants learned about executive function, mental health-informed care and support for different age groups.

The day ended with a panel discussion with school leaders from several Idaho districts including Basin, Homedale and Payette school districts. The panelists discussed real-world experiences implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

Part of the renewed focus on behavior comes amid anecdotal reports from educators who say classroom challenges have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many students spent extended time out of school buildings, missing opportunities to learn social and behavioral expectations in structured settings.

According to Pinczynski, state leaders both within and outside of education have raised questions about school discipline, focusing more on consequences instead of prevention.

Pinczynski suggests that schools do not necessarily need new systems, or more reactive consequences. Instead, schools can focus on implementing proven frameworks like Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports - which has decades of research showing that it works.

Superintendent Critchfield thanks teachers

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield, who gave the opening address, said understanding around these issues has never been more critical, and thanked educators for participating.

"Every single one of us plays a role in some form," said Critchfield. "I applaud you for taking time out of what you have to do, your important jobs, to come and learn and share together…and to have our educational professionals provide you access to [support]."

Jose Felix, a staff member with the Notus School District, is working to support positive behavior frameworks in his small, rural school district. A key symposium takeaway for Felix was to give students who may need more support classroom "jobs" that fit their strengths so they can contribute positively to the learning environment.

The symposium also reiterated for Felix the importance of school staff working together as a team to support positive behaviors.

"Everyone has strengths," said Felix. "We need to find and develop them [in the students]. It's important to work as a team with a consistent approach across all staff members."

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