Factors to Consider When Implementing the Supportive Classroom

Posted on February 9, 2006

At last weeks meeting of the Swanton Elementary School's SCOPE Steering Committee meeting we spent time identifying those factors that seem important for a school to consider when implementing a new program within the school. These are the factors that have made the Swanton Elementary School so successful in their implementation of the Supportive Classroom. The seven factors are:

1. The school identified issues related to school climate & safety of concern and identified a team of representative staff and community members to analysis the problems and possible solutions. From this process the team identified the Supportive Classroom as a program to implement within the school and set measurable goals for program implementation.

2. Strong administrative support for program implementation which includes the creation of a steering committee and adaquate planning time for staff.

3. Teachers organized into instructional teams to provide support for each other as they implement the curriculum.

4. A staff member identified as having a leadership role to work with instructional teams.

5. Training, coaching and follow-up to instructional teams on the Supportive Classroom curriculum.

6. On-going assessment of the program goals. Data used to inform the next years implementation.

7. Family / community involvement in the program including the creation of a Community Advisory Council.