Positive Discipline & Healthy Kids

How can we ensure that schools are safe spaces that allow all children to learn, thrive, and live healthier lives?

We discuss why Washington’s new school discipline rules are important not only for student learning but also for creating safe, supportive school environments for everyone in the school community, including students and staff. Together, we will explore the following topics:

• Connections between school discipline practices, childhood adversity, and trauma
• Best practices and opportunities to implement health-promoting alternatives—such as school-based restorative justice, social and emotional learning, and positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS)—in school districts across the state
• Benefits of positive approaches compared with traditional forms of punishment in terms of school safety and productive learning environments

We will be joined by Kurt Hatch, associate director at the Association of Washington School Principals, who will share his expertise on positive alternatives to exclusionary school discipline that advance equity, focusing on PBIS.

ChangeLab Solutions developed this webinar in partnership with the Office of Center for the Improvement of Student Learning at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Association of Washington School Principals, and Educational Service District 112.

Recording

For more resources on creating healthy and safe school environments, be sure to check out our issue brief on trauma, ACEs, and school discipline, and special feature on school climate.