Responsible Behaviour Plan For Schools
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Approaches to behaviour management have changed dramatically over the decades and schools are now encouraged to take a preventative approach to behaviour management that links classroom, targeted group and individualised behaviour plans to a school wide behaviour plan. All State Schools must have an approved Responsible Behaviour Plan for students which outline the standards expected of them and consequences when these standards are not met (Dept. of Education Qld). The Behaviour Expectations Matrix which is contained in the Responsible Behaviour Plan, clearly outlines for students and teachers the agreed rules and specific behavioural expectations in the school setting.
The Queensland Department of Education is committed to providing a safe learning environment for children in Qld State Schools and has programs in place to address bullying, harassment and discrimination. Behaviour at school is managed supportively to achieve a positive learning environment for the benefit of students, staff and parents (Dept. of Education). The Code of School Behaviour defines the responsibilities that all members of the
school community are expected to uphold and recognises the significance of appropriate and meaningful relationships (Dept of Education, Qld). Teachers needhelp with two issues when dealing with behaviour management – preventing discipline problems, and dealing with existing discipline problems.
A schools Responsible Behaviour Plan should be designed to facilitate high standards of behaviour. This in turn, enables learning and teaching in the school to be effective and encourages all students to participate positively within the school and also the wider community. A key to the success of a Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students is ensuring behaviour standards are communicated to all students. There are many strategies that can be included in the Plan to ensure effective communication of its behavioural standards, however the most effective method is directly teaching students the behaviours we want them to demonstrate at school. By directly communicating to the students what is required of them, they understand expectations and can complete work without misbehaviour or confusion. Other startegies to communicate standards and expectations to students can include:
1. Posters displayed in classrooms that show classroom-specific expectations
2. Publishment on the schools website of the Behaviour Expectations Matrix (this outlines agreed rules and specific behavioural expectations)
3. Behaviour lessons and school assemblies that reinforce expectations of students
4. Development of Individual Behaviour Support Plans. (these are developed for students with high behavioural support needs and enable staff to make necessary adjustments to support these students consistently across all classroom and non-classroom settings).
5. Development of specific policies included in Responsible Behaviour Plan, that address issues such as bullying and the use of personal technology.
A schools Responsible Behaviour Plan should be developed in collaboration with the school community and be subjected to ongoing review to inform developments and updating of policies, procedures and templates.
The Queensland Department of Education is committed to providing a safe learning environment for children in Qld State Schools and has programs in place to address bullying, harassment and discrimination. Behaviour at school is managed supportively to achieve a positive learning environment for the benefit of students, staff and parents (Dept. of Education). The Code of School Behaviour defines the responsibilities that all members of the
school community are expected to uphold and recognises the significance of appropriate and meaningful relationships (Dept of Education, Qld). Teachers needhelp with two issues when dealing with behaviour management – preventing discipline problems, and dealing with existing discipline problems.
A schools Responsible Behaviour Plan should be designed to facilitate high standards of behaviour. This in turn, enables learning and teaching in the school to be effective and encourages all students to participate positively within the school and also the wider community. A key to the success of a Responsible Behaviour Plan for Students is ensuring behaviour standards are communicated to all students. There are many strategies that can be included in the Plan to ensure effective communication of its behavioural standards, however the most effective method is directly teaching students the behaviours we want them to demonstrate at school. By directly communicating to the students what is required of them, they understand expectations and can complete work without misbehaviour or confusion. Other startegies to communicate standards and expectations to students can include:
1. Posters displayed in classrooms that show classroom-specific expectations
2. Publishment on the schools website of the Behaviour Expectations Matrix (this outlines agreed rules and specific behavioural expectations)
3. Behaviour lessons and school assemblies that reinforce expectations of students
4. Development of Individual Behaviour Support Plans. (these are developed for students with high behavioural support needs and enable staff to make necessary adjustments to support these students consistently across all classroom and non-classroom settings).
5. Development of specific policies included in Responsible Behaviour Plan, that address issues such as bullying and the use of personal technology.
A schools Responsible Behaviour Plan should be developed in collaboration with the school community and be subjected to ongoing review to inform developments and updating of policies, procedures and templates.