Capitol Academy’s level systems are behavioral management approaches that have been commonly recommended by educators and utilized in programs for students that exhibit challenging behavior. Capitol Academy’s level systems are designed to be an organizational framework for managing student behavior when “students access greater independencies and more privileges as they demonstrate increased behavioral control” (Heward, p. 306, 2003) In accordance with the State Department specifically the Hughes Bill. Capital Academy students learn appropriate behavior through clearly defined behavioral expectations, regular feedback, self-monitoring, positive role models, social skills training, 1:1 counseling and active behavioral management utilizing therapeutic responses as well as rewards, privileges and consequences linked to expectations. There are specific criteria for advancement to the next level where the student (s) enjoy more desirable contingencies. It is intended that as students proceed through the Captiol Academy level systems they are more able to self-manage, capable of handling more responsibility and therefore enjoy greater independence.
There are four main goals of the Capitol Academy level system
- Increasing appropriate behavior
- Promoting academic achievement
- Foster a student’s improvement through self-management
- Developing personal responsibility for social emotional and academic performance
Farrell, Smithy & 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.