Arizona S.B. 1197 calls for the establishment of a legislative task force to outline best practices in special education and behavior management and to present a report to the State Board of Education with their findings. By the end of June 2010, each school district and charter school must hold a public meeting to review task force recommendations.
The task force then submits recommendations on the four required elements of the statute:
1. Best practices for managing the behavior and discipline of students with disabilities:
Create a positive school climate through direct teaching of clear expectations for student behavior, consistent and fair application of rules, identifying and managing areas for conflict, and training staff in methods of positive behavior supports for all students to result in a reduction of school incidents requiring more punitive reactions.
2. Disciplinary actions which should be prohibited:
Restrict the use of crisis management techniques of restraint and/or seclusion to cases of imminent danger to a student or to other persons.
3. Training for school personnel:
Train school staff in proactive behavior management strategies, crisis de-escalation, non-injurious crisis intervention, and the development and implementation of behavior intervention plans for identified students.
4. Notice requirements to parents and school administrators:
Report every instance where crisis management actions have been used to the parents [as defined in ARS 15-761 (21)]; to the school and central office administration; and to the LEA's governing board. Use the data to make appropriate modifications to policy, training, and practice.
More information:
Task Force Report:
https://asbcs.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/files/0583_001.pdf [PDF]
S.B. 1197 in full:
https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/52leg/2r/bills/sb1197p.pdf [PDF]
CPI Training Can Help!
Our Nonviolent Crisis Intervention® training program techniques have been shown to be effective in both the prevention of and the safe use of physical restraint and seclusion. Our evidence-based program is designed to equip your staff with methods for identifying and understanding the underlying causes of the student behaviors that can lead to restraint or seclusion. The training focuses on prevention and de-escalation techniques and other alternatives to restraint and seclusion, as well as using safe, less-restrictive physical interventions only as a last resort.
Our training can be tailored to the unique needs of your school or district. With our train-the-trainer option, select staff can be certified to teach the program to other staff on a continuing basis. We also offer specialized materials to help you center your trainings around a comprehensive PBIS plan to decrease problem behavior and promote positive behavior choices.
We have numerous public programs coming to Arizona, and an on-site training option is also available.