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WINTERSVILLE -- Promising results from a newly implemented program have led to an expansion to help even more youth within the Indian Creek Local School District.
Accept Identify Move, or AIM, was implemented at Indian Creek Middle School during the past year by Michelle Duprey-Anderson, the district's board-certified behavior analyst), to help students identify what matters to them and behave accordingly to move toward those goals.
The curriculum is based on a concept by Mark Dixon and Dana Palilunas and uses the principles of applied behavior analysis, mindfulness and acceptance and commitment therapy to attain positive outcomes.
"We started with a pilot group at Indian Creek Middle School in the fall. When we looked at the data, we saw a significant decrease in discipline referrals for participants in the AIM group," said Duprey-Anderson. "We decided to add groups in the middle school, to target problem behavior and social skills, and we also introduced the program at the elementary level."
Groups were added at Wintersville and Hills Elementary School, and she meets with small teams on a weekly basis. The ICMS students select and track their own behavior while teachers are more directly involved in the data collection process at the elementary level. As they meet their goals, students also earn points which can be used at a "rewards store."
In 2019, the district became an educational leader in Jefferson County by adding a BCBA to address behavioral needs of students and support staff while implementing interventions in the classroom. Since then, officials have seen a significant improvement in individual student behaviors when a comprehensive plan was developed between the BCBA and district staff.
Duprey-Anderson commented that AIM also was helping students make great strides, and although it is a relatively new curriculum, it will likely continue to gain momentum across the country in academic settings. She also thanked the district for supporting the program.
"The exciting thing for me is that during this time when we are already trying to problem solve so many different barriers (with COVID), the administration and teachers were willing to get on board with this new idea and support the program," she concluded. "It speaks to the district's willingness to do what it takes for the kids in all circumstances."