Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montgomery pilot shows early drops in suspensions and fights after conflict-resolution counselors added
Summary
A two-year pilot placing conflict-resolution counselors in Montgomery schools has decreased in-school and out-of-school suspensions and reduced recorded fights, according to district and sponsor testimony; the program also offers home visits and small-group mediation.
Representative Philip Enseler and program staff reported to the Ways and Means Education committee that a two-year pilot in Montgomery Public Schools placing conflict-resolution counselors in selected schools has produced early improvements in student behavior and attendance.
Representative Enseler described the program as an evidence-based effort to reduce disciplinary incidents, absenteeism and the school-to-community spillover of conflicts. The program funds district hires — typically professionals with social-work backgrounds — who deliver one-on-one coaching, small-group peer mediation, classroom instruction in conflict resolution and home visits for students identified as chronically absent or at risk. "We have a curriculum that can be replicated," Enseler said, and added that home visits allow counselors to identify out-of-school barriers such as transportation or household needs.
Enseler and staff said preliminary data from the first six months show reductions in recorded classroom incidents and suspensions at Percy Julian High School, and decreases in fights the school tracks. They said some students who received counseling showed improved attendance and grades. The program's proponents told the committee the approach has been positively received by families and educators and that there is demand to expand the model to additional districts.
Committee members asked for detailed student-level outcome data. Representative Collins requested information specifically on the cohort of students who received counseling so the committee could evaluate academic and attendance outcomes tied to program participation.
Program leaders said they will provide more comprehensive evaluation results and that the pilot has inspired interest from other systems, including a request from a Jefferson County representative to consider a similar program in Birmingham. No formal committee action was taken; members thanked sponsors for the update and encouraged expansion subject to funding and evaluation.
