Claxton RYDC Terrific Tuesday

For the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program at the Department of Juvenile Justice, creating interesting and diverse programs is essential to facility youth participation.  Excitement is based on that which is fun and different and, if done properly, will grow and make good behavior second nature for those who want to learn and grow socially. 

At the Claxton RYDC, a new PBIS program which has gained in popularity is Terrific Tuesdays.  With Terrific Tuesdays, youth without disciplinary reports, Breac free, and special incident report free were rewarded with snacks, free time, and the ability to socialize with their friends in a casual environment.

Staff and youth alike have taken to Terrific Tuesdays at the Claxton RYDC. Through small treats and large amounts of encouragement, Claxton RYDC youth have grown to expect and love the consistency that comes with having a set time for themselves. This routine also benefits staff who have seen a marked improvement in attitude and behavior from previously disruptive individuals.

PBIS is an evidence-based, data-driven framework proven to reduce disciplinary incidents, increase a school’s sense of safety and support improved academic outcomes. More than 23,000 U.S. schools are implementing PBIS and saving countless instructional hours otherwise lost to discipline. The premise of PBIS is that continual teaching, combined with acknowledgment or feedback of positive student over the counter behavior, will reduce unnecessary discipline and promote a climate of greater productivity, safety and learning. PBIS schools apply a multi-tiered approach to prevention, using disciplinary data and principles of behavior analysis to develop school-wide, targeted and individualized interventions and supports to improve the school climate for all students.