Hollister district implements program to reduce misbehavior, suspensions

Courtesy of the Hollister School District:

The Hollister School District is pleased to update the community on a major improvement pertaining to supporting all students with disabilities in our district. As a result of high rates of student suspensions, the district sought out an effective behavior training program to teach preventative strategies to school staff. 

In March 2019, there had been an increase in behavioral emergencies due to escalating dysregulated behavior that impacted the student’s access to instruction.  Director of Special Education Gwen Baquiran said, “We did research on effective programs that our neighboring districts had been utilizing successfully. We found that SBHS and school districts in the Bay Area were implementing Quality Behavior Systems (QBS).” The district initially sent a team of 4 behavior specialists and administrative coordinators to be trained as the District’s trainers for QBS.

QBS (Quality Behavior Solutions-Safety Care System) is the district’s crisis prevention and crisis management system.  QBS incorporates evidence-based strategies in behavior management. From beginning to end, the staff are learning not just how to prevent behavioral challenges, or manage them if necessary, but to change behavior. It also teaches staff how to recognize what purpose, function and outcomes the behaviors are serving; such as: escape from work/demands, access to desired activities.  

Superintendent Diego Ochoa  said, “All the staff in special day classrooms and site administrators have been trained in QBS. The staff training is a yearly process to ensure implementation fidelity.” The Hollister School District is pleased to report that the suspension rate and behavioral emergencies have decreased since the staff began utilizing the program. For more information, please contact Superintendent Diego Ochoa at [email protected].