October 7, 2025—The Georgia Department of Education recently recognized 10 Cobb Schools for their work in creating an ideal learning environment for every student and avoiding major disruptions during the day.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, better known as PBIS, has been a concentrated effort by Cobb Schools to equip schools with the staff and resources needed so classroom lessons are not interrupted for students.
The following Cobb Schools earned the title of Distinguished PBIS Schools for 2024-2025: Austell Elementary School, Barber Middle School, Big Shanty Elementary, School, Campbell Middle School, Compton Elementary School, Dickerson Middle School, Durham Middle School, Floyd Middle School, Mabry Middle School, and Smitha Middle School.
"Each of these schools has shown outstanding leadership and dedication in fostering a culture of positivity, engagement, and student success," said Positive School Culture Support Supervisor Sara Folk.
To be selected as a Distinguished PBIS School, each of these 10 schools had to meet criteria set by the State, including few thresholds the following:
- The percentage of students with 0-1 office discipline referrals must be 90% or higher.
- Decreases in ISS and OSS days compared to previous school year. If there is an increase, the percentage of ISS days and OSS days (calculated per 100 students), should be no more than 5% compared to the prior year.
- In addition to these criteria, schools are also required to complete fidelity checks to ensure they are consistently monitoring and strengthening their PBIS implementation.
With help from PBIS coaches, these schools have reduced disruptions, and as a result, increased time for learning.
"Just to see the culture change in the hallways, the cafeteria, the common areas, our kids buying into our expectation," said Dr. Robert Grogan at Barber Middle School.
Some schools have implemented methods that reward good behavior which in return has created a stronger bond between students and staff as well as made learning more fun.
"The kids love being able to use their points so they want to be able to earn points to be able to participate in activities like administration- being principal for the day, having lunch with the principal, and sports with the staff", said Floyd Middle School science teacher Naasia Dubose.
For more information on PBIS and resources Cobb Schools provides, follow this link.
