Department leaders briefed the State Board of Education on classroom behavior supports, describing a multi-tiered approach aligned with MTSS and a range of preventative and targeted interventions.

Presenters said foundational classroom practices (tier 1) are the starting point: clear expectations, routines, and relational classroom management. For a subset of students who need additional help (tier 2), the department works with schools to deliver targeted interventions and small-group supports. For a smaller number of students with high needs (tier 3) staff said individualized behavior plans, counseling referrals, schedule modifications and specialist supports are used after data review.

The presenters said trauma-informed teaching and leadership trainings and youth mental-health-first-aid trainings have been provided statewide. The department described work to reduce exclusionary discipline practices that remove students from instruction and to use restorative and regulation strategies that allow teachers to continue instruction while addressing behavior. Presenters said John Maxwell Foundation training on empathy and leadership has been used to support teacher and leader practice.

Special-education staff noted many challenging behaviors are disability-related and that teachers benefit from training on high-leverage practices and triggers tied to Individualized Education Program (IEP) needs. Presenters said grants have supported hiring board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) or assistants; they reported that approximately 113 local education agencies (LEAs) received funds to hire BCBAs or assistants in the prior year.

Presenters and board members discussed anecdotal concerns about fewer social and self-care skills among early-grade students since the pandemic and said early interventions and readiness checks (including attendance and social-skill screening) are part of state supports. The department said it will continue to provide regional and district-level professional development, technical assistance, and targeted resources based on data and school requests.