In an effort led by Mr. Dieter, Oakland Technical High School is revamping the Bulldog Buck system in aims to increase the school’s use of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Ever since the Bulldog Buck Store closed last year due to lack of Student Council involvement, Mr. Price has been working to make the system stronger. The plan involves increasing funding for the store and using Minga to help digitize the Bulldog Buck currency.
“What we’re doing is trying to teach students and clearly explain what is expected behavior in as many situations as we possibly can,” commented Mr. Dieter.
According to the California PBIS Coalition, the need for PBIS was recognized as early as the 1960s, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that students at the University of Oregon started conducting research on the issue. Later, the Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1997 led to the creation of the Center on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.
Oakland Tech first started implementing PBIS with the Bulldog Buck system about ten years ago. The currency started out as a valueless form of recognition for students demonstrating positive behavior. It later evolved into a weekly raffle system with gift cards as prizes. But after some complications with the lottery aspects of that system, the school switched to a store format.
Now, Mr. Price and Mr. Dieter are figuring out a few more logistics before officially releasing the system. One challenge is budget: Mr. Dieter estimates that the store may need as much as $20,000 to stock the store with a wide variety of products ranging from pens to sweatshirts and more. Another is technology, as staff are still learning to navigate the Minga app, and the administrators are still training teachers on the proposed system.
“I think it will probably be an ongoing process of working with teachers on encouraging them to do it and why it’s a good idea to do it,” predicted Mr. Dieter. “And helping them think about ways to habituate to doing it.”
Beyond collaborating with teachers to figure out how the new reward system will work, school administration is also partnering with the PTSA committee to secure funding. The goal is to ensure students can redeem their Bulldog Bucks for meaningful rewards, not just snacks.
“What happens is the PTSA gives you seed money, you take that seed money and go buy a product,” says Mr. Price.
There is not a set launch date for this new and improved system, but administrators are aiming to get the program up and running by the end of September.
Mr. Dieter is looking forward to expanding the program in the future.
“I’m also hoping that there are businesses in the city, and particularly businesses nearby that might be interested in contributing things to our program,” Mr. Dieter told us.