Misbehavior on the Bus… What do I DO? New Ways to Assist Students in Having Great Bus Behavior

What Are the Secrets to Behavior? A -----B C A A is the student B B is what’s going on with the student C C is their behavior

What’s Going on with the Students? Psychologists call it Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) It might be called the origin of the behavior This B (what’s going on) is important in knowing what to do with the student Once we find this out then we can design a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

Think About It! 90% of students are “rule following” on the bus 10% give us some problems 2% of the 10% are very difficult One plan of action or consequence will not cover all possible situations Do an “informal assessment,” an “informal functional analysis” of the problem behavior of the student

Rules of the Road One plan will not do with all students Knowing some background about what’s going on with the students helps (i.e., may have a difficult home environment or low self-esteem) Knowing how to create different plans and then possibly changing them is the secret! It’s the behavior that’s the problem and not the student We need to find a way to create “replacement behaviors” for the difficult behavior and not suspend or expel students.

Informal Behavior Assessment: Love/Affiliation Gang behavior

What Drivers Said Communications Find out a little more of each child’s likes Find out a little more of each child’s likes Smile and know the first and last names of each child Smile and know the first and last names of each child Talk to students with respect in a nice and polite way Talk to students with respect in a nice and polite way Earning privileges, such as being able to sit where you want on the bus Earning privileges, such as being able to sit where you want on the bus Explain the “why” behind the rules Explain the “why” behind the rules Stay calm Stay calm

What Drivers Said Rules on Bus Friendly and caring but firm about rules Friendly and caring but firm about rules May have to remind them everyday in the beginning but that will lessen. They will respect you! May have to remind them everyday in the beginning but that will lessen. They will respect you! Move to a seat up-front! Move to a seat up-front! Find common ground with students Find common ground with students Use the “really” approach. Don’t show that they have gotten to me or made me “flinch!” Use the “really” approach. Don’t show that they have gotten to me or made me “flinch!”

What Drivers Said Smile Compliment students. Smile and say, “Have a good day.” Compliment students. Smile and say, “Have a good day.”Patience I try to be patient, respectful, and smiling to all my students I try to be patient, respectful, and smiling to all my students Try to be fair to everyone Try to be fair to everyoneConsistency Calm, consistent, firm, praise, and no absolutes Calm, consistent, firm, praise, and no absolutes

What Drivers Said Music Using the radio, channel selection will be based on behavior Using the radio, channel selection will be based on behaviorRespect Treat everyone with dignity, have patience, and don’t take things personally Treat everyone with dignity, have patience, and don’t take things personally Give and expect respect, be caring, show some concerns, and set boundaries Give and expect respect, be caring, show some concerns, and set boundaries

What Drivers Said Connection Getting to know each kid personally, always greet them Getting to know each kid personally, always greet them Hear what they have to say, put my feet in their shoes, and be their friend with boundaries Hear what they have to say, put my feet in their shoes, and be their friend with boundaries Enjoy your job! Like the kids and make sure they know it! Enjoy your job! Like the kids and make sure they know it!Safety Make sure my students are safe and happy to and from school! Make sure my students are safe and happy to and from school!

What Does All This Mean? Bus drivers and staff have had little professional development time to understand student’s problem behaviors Bus drivers need some assistance in developing new behavior plans for students on the bus Behavior plans on buses can reduce stress, increase enjoyment and cause everyone to enjoy the bus rides from home to school and back again!

Managing Problem Behaviors One way is to have a behavior specialist assigned to the transportation department (Renton had one a while ago!) This specialist can assist bus drivers and staff in creating behavior intervention plans based on FBA’s. They will also give support during the plan and can help in solving remaining problems.

Special Education Department The special education department has teachers (who work with Emotional Behaviorally Disturbed students EBD) who have great experience with these behaviors and can assist in developing plans for students on the bus. The special education department has school psychologists and counselors that could assist in these plans.

Don’t Be Surprised If the Student Already Has a Plan Some students already are on a plan from the counselor. It would be important to check this out! Some students have IEP Goals and Objectives for a behavior – check this out too!

What Can I Do for My Student with Problem Behavior? Do something different if you have not seen success for awhile. Review the four sheets and look at some of the suggestions. Each transportation department should ask all drivers for just one effective behavior intervention that works for them, then tally them. You could have a list of effective strategies. Just pick one and try it!

Something New Schools have teacher assistant teams or TAT’s I would suggest that all or most transportation departments create a BAT or Bus driver Assistance Team! It could be made up of two or three bus drivers with great records of student behavior on the bus. A bus driver having behavior problems, brings the problem to the team for suggestions.

Even More “New” For difficult students, the BAT would bring in the EBD teacher/psychologist/counselor to assist in creating the most effective plans for the student on the bus Another resource could be your local ESD to offer the BAT some ideas Please call me if you’re in the Puget Sound ESD region

Last Things to Remember Always know that behavior is getting a pay- off, even if it doesn’t make sense Most of this work should not be done alone and certainly not without a number of professional development sessions about behavior under your belt Some of these students like to break the systems. You need to have great “will” and beat them at their game!

Gordy’s Top Ten Commitment is the key Have a plan No single plan will do They find your buttons Do not do this alone

Gordy’s Top Ten Measure your progress and celebrate Find the good Sometimes just ask Have positive consequences You are in control…REMEMBER !

The Ending Bus drivers and staff have received little information about difficult behaviors some students have on the bus There needs to be a new and helpful effort at giving support and understanding to all transportation staff Special Education can be your friend and so can the ESD’s

Really, THE END! Do not do this work alone! Please call me if you are in need of a way to resolve issues. I will try to get others in your area to assist you Work as a community on this one; It can help everyone Remember…just a little or a lot of information can make a big difference THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO!