Capitol Academy’s Level System is a structured behavior management approach commonly recommended by educators and used in programs that support students who demonstrate challenging behaviors. The Level System serves as an organizational framework for promoting positive behavior by allowing students to earn increased independence and privileges as they demonstrate improved behavioral self-control (Heward, 2003), consistent with guidance from the California Department of Education, including the Hughes Bill.
Students at Capitol Academy develop appropriate behavior through clearly defined expectations, consistent feedback, self-monitoring, positive adult role models, social skills instruction, and individualized supports such as 1:1 counseling. Advancement to each level is based on specific criteria, and students earn access to increasingly positive opportunities and responsibilities as they demonstrate progress. As students move through the Level System, they strengthen their ability to self-manage, build greater responsibility, and gain the skills needed for long-term success in school and the community.
There are four main goals of the Capitol Academy level systems:
- Increasing appropriate behavior
- Promoting Academic Achievement
- Foster a student’s improvement through self-management
- Developing personal responsibility for social emotional and academic performance
(Farrell, Smith & Brownell, 1998)
Capitol Academy has designed a level system to accommodate the specific goals of each student in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Characteristics of our Behavior Management System:
- Pro-active in its design and implementation
- Highly Structured and consistent school-wide approach
- Focuses on identifying the individualized educational and behavioral needs of our students
- Supported by a multi-disciplinary team consisting of administrators, therapists, behaviorists, teachers, and educational assistants
- Require positive and professional interpersonal relationships between staff and students
- Consistent observation, intervention and documentation of student behaviors by staff
- Utilizes the least restrictive behavioral interventions and optimizes teachable moments in order to promote skill building and increased self-management
- Assist students with establishing an internal locus of control versus external
- Utilizes a wide variety of privileges and rewards in order to reinforce the learning experience
- Appropriate modeling of pro-social behaviors by staff
All Capitol Academy staff is responsible for the implementation of the school-wide behavior management system.