The Administration recommends that the Board of Education ratify and authorize the execution and performance of a contract, by The School District of Philadelphia, through the Superintendent or his designee, subject to funding, as follows:

With: Drexel University

Purpose: Support of the Positive School Safety Program for training School Safety Officers by authorizing additional time and money

Original Start Date: 6/5/2020

Current End Date: 2/28/2023

Amended End Date: 8/31/2023

Currently Authorized Compensation: $152,000.00

Additional Compensation:  $43,070

Total New Compensation: $195,070

Location: All Schools; Administrative Office(s)

Renewal Options: Yes 

Number of Options: 2

Duration of each option to extend: Years: 1 Months: 0

Maximum compensation authorized per option period: $30,000

Description:

Why is this contract needed?

This action item authorizes the School District of Philadelphia's (District) Office of School Safety to amend its contract with Drexel University to support implementing the Positive School Safety Program (PSSP) in the 2022-23 school year. The PSSP is a specialized training program for safety personnel to obtain the skills needed to positively and effectively interact with students to support and enhance school safety and climate. Under a U.S. Department of Justice grant, the Drexel University Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab (Drexel JJRRL) began supporting the implementation of the PSSP with School Safety personnel in the 2020-21 school year. Due to school closures and other challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the initial implementation during the 2020-21 school year focused exclusively on establishing and developing a cohort of School Safety personnel trained to serve as peer coaches to deliver the curriculum. Training of School Safety Officers in the PSSP curriculum commenced in the 2021-22 school year, with 23 School Safety Officers completing the Training. The training delivery model was refined and updated for the current academic year. During the 2022-23 school year, Drexel JJRL supported the Office of School Safety in training 63 School Safety Officers in the PSSP curriculum.

How is this work connected to the District’s plan to achieve Goals & Guardrails?

PSSP training in the Office of School Safety aligns with Guardrail 1 - Safe and Welcoming Schools and Guardrail 4 - Addressing Racist Practices. PSSP training uses evidence-based approaches in school-based positive behavior management practices (PBIS-aligned), trauma-informed practices, and  community-oriented procedurally-just safety practices to develop skills in forming positive relationships, promoting positive student behaviors, de-escalating challenging situations, and problem-solving around ongoing problematic student behavior. This training is one important aspect of training for School Safety personnel to ensure our approach to fostering safe, secure, and supportive learning environments in student-centered.

How will the success of this contract be measured?

The primary measure of the contract is the number of Officers trained in the PSSP curriculum. The secondary measure of success is the refinement of the program to ensure effective and sustainable delivery and administration of the PSSP into the future.

How was success measured in the initial contract supporting this work?

The initial contract measures were the successful initiation of the training program, as the PSSP was a brand-new training initiative, the development of a cohort of Officer coaches to serve as peer trainers and mentors of trainees, and the number of Officers completing the first year of training in the program. All of these initial measures were met, though the Office of School Safety prioritized updating the program delivery model to increase the number of School Safety Officers trained in the PSSP annually.

Is this an evidence based strategy?

 The PSSP curriculum is grounded in evidence-based approaches of school-based positive behavior management practices (PBIS-aligned), trauma-informed practices, and community-oriented procedurally-just safety practices.

Related resolution(s)/approval(s):

April 30, 2020 #40

August 19, 2021 #28

Funding Source(s):

FY23, School Safety Operating

FY24, School Safety Operating