Broken Arrow Public Schools have introduced an innovative program that could reshape how student behavioral issues are addressed statewide. Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, brought attention to the Tiger Connect program during a presentation before the House Common Education Committee. According to Ford, who has a background in law enforcement, the program is a "gamechanger" with the potential to alter the life's trajectory of young students, as per the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
The initiative, which targets elementary students struggling to self-regulate their behavior and emotions, was developed in response to an increasing number of student discipline issues. Chuck Perry, superintendent for the district since December 2021, expressed his concerns in an interview, noting that educators were "losing great teachers out of that profession" because disruptive behaviors overshadowed their ability to teach effectively, as mentioned on the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Conversations with teachers revealed a sense of defeat, as many felt they weren't making the impact they had aspired to when entering the profession.
Perry took decisive action for the 2022-23 school year, making classroom order a top priority. In a statement obtained by the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Perry said, "I felt like as educators, we were pointing to Oklahoma City to legislators saying, 'It's your fault. We don't have enough money.' But I felt like it was time we looked in the mirror and said, 'What can we do to change that environment in the classroom?' We all have to take responsibility for what was going on."
Assistant Superintendents Derek Blackburn and Rachel Kaiser researched successful strategies employed in other states, leading to the adoption of Tiger Connect. The program not only addresses the needs of students through at least a six-week period of specialized teaching and counseling but also involves parents in reinforcing positive behavior at home. Trained educators like Joe Freeman work in small group settings to provide a structured learning environment and individualized support. "We're able to individualize some of the teaching and learning," Freeman told Oklahoma House of Representatives, emphasizing the proactive approach to managing behavioral issues.
The results so far show that when students receive this level of support, they are better equipped to articulate their emotions and control their behaviors, according to the parents who have seen the program's impact firsthand. Superintendent Perry attributes much of the program's success to the partnerships formed between educators and families, which ultimately create a more conducive learning environment for both students and teachers. Details of the Tiger Connect program and the positive changes it has wrought can be viewed through an interim study showcased on the Oklahoma House of Representatives website.
