Implementation in Arkansas

The Arkansas Department of Education (Special Education Unit) received a five-year federal grant from the U.S. Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) beginning in 2003 to implement a state-wide school improvement process focusing on at-risk and underachieving students, and those students with disabilities. Project ACHIEVE was explicitly written into this grant, and its state-wide implementation is under the direction of Dr. Howard M. Knoff.

The primary focus of the State Improvement Grant (SIG) is to increase (a) students' academic performance and success in reading (Goal 1); (b) students' interpersonal, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills, and participating schools' overall positive school climate and safety (Goal 2); and (c) the capacity of schools across the state relative to staff development, especially in the areas of literacy, behavior, and services for students with disabilities (Goal 3).

Through this State Improvement Grant and Goal 2, Project ACHIEVE is being implemented in over 50 schools across the state, and more than 75 school districts have received leadership training in Project ACHIEVE's Positive Behavioral Self-Management System (PBSS).

For more information on the Arkansas State Improvement Grant - CLICK HERE

The Arkansas State Improvement Grant's Project ACHIEVE/Positive Behavioral Support Goals

The Arkansas State Improvement Grant’s Goal 2 focuses on developing and implementing positive behavioral support systems in select schools across the state using Project ACHIEVE as its evidence-based foundation.  It also emphasizes the development and implementation of integrated community-based and school-based mental health models and services.

The Arkansas State Improvement Grant's Three Overall Goals:

Goal 1: Through the use of trained teachers and the implementation of research-based information regarding the teaching of early literacy (reading and language skills), students with disabilities grades K-12 will make reading and other literacy gains.

Project ACHIEVE’s Positive Behavioral Self-Management System (PBSS) involves student, staff, school, district, and community-wide programs that build and reinforce (a) students’ interpersonal, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills, resilience, strength, and capacity so that they can academically and behaviorally succeed;  (b) schools’ positive, safe, supportive, and consistent climates and settings; and (c) collaborative partnerships from school to home to community.

Since 2003, over 50 schools have received Project ACHIEVE PBSS and SPRINT training on-site, along with supportive consultation and technical assistance.  Evaluation data is continuously collected, and outcomes in fully-implementing schools has been consistent with other Project ACHIEVE schools and outcomes.

Goal 2: The social, emotional, and behavioral needs of students with disabilities will be met through the implementation of school-based prevention programs and school-based mental health services.

Goal 3: The number of fully qualified teachers serving students with disabilities who are implementing research-based classroom strategies will increase through aggressive recruitment strategies, support provided to novice special education teachers with initial licensure in the Arkansas performance based licensure system, and mentoring support for beginning teachers to retain them and assist them in reaching full licensure.

For more information:
Arkansas' State Improvement Grant's Project ACHIEVE and Positive Behavioral Self-Management System (PBSS) and Response-to-Intervention (SPRINT) activities - CLICK HERE