5.1.3 Essential Components of Learning/Reinforcing Successful Behaviors

All SFUSD schools commit to: 

1. Academic Rigor: Engaging Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Students who are engaged in learning are less likely to engage in misconduct.  To support positive behavior, our curriculum is rigorous, standards-based, and inquiry-based.  Lessons are built around essential questions, with culturally relevant and responsive content that connects to students’ lives.

2. Positive Behavior Support

Positive behavior support is defined as positive expectations and responses to student behaviors.  In SFUSD schools, positive values and behaviors are explicitly taught, modeled, and practiced daily.  

3. Community Building & Restorative Practices

Community Building & Restorative Practices (RP) is the preferred approach to address student behavior issues in SFUSD school communities. Community Building & Restorative Practices are based on principles and processes that emphasize the importance of positive relationships as central to building community, and repairs/restores relationships when harm has occurred.

Community building practices, such as circles,  are used proactively to develop relationships, build community,  and build a relationship of trust that can serve as a foundation in times when harm has occurred and restoration is needed. Restorative Circles are used to repair harm. Community Building & RP reflects the importance SFUSD places on relationships – among students, and between teachers and students. This approach provides students with opportunities to develop self-discipline and positive behaviors in a caring, supportive environment. Community Building & RP views conflict primarily through the lens of the harm caused to people and relationships, and emphasizes the priority to meet the needs of those affected by this harm. A restorative disciplinary paradigm views conflict or misbehavior as an opportunity for students to learn about the consequences of their actions, develop empathy with others, and experience how to make amends in a way that strengthens the community bonds that may have been damaged.