Poplar Grove Middle is a 2021-2022 Silver Level RTI²-B Model of Demonstration School, as selected by the Tennessee Tiered  Supports Center (TSC) at Vanderbilt University (funded by the Tennessee Department of Education). There are over 1,800 schools across the Tennessee and each year a small percentage of schools meet criteria to be selected as an RTI²-B Model of Demonstration School.

2021-2022 Silver Level RTI²-B Model of Demonstration School

Poplar Grove Middle School is proud to be selected a 2021-2022 Silver Level RTI²-B Model of Demonstration School by the Tennessee Behavior Supports Project (TBSP) at Vanderbilt University (funded by the Tennessee Department of Education).

Poplar Grove has been a participant in training and technical assistance provided by TBSP and has undergone the process of implementing a positive and proactive behavioral systems framework for all students. The RTI²-B framework consists of: identifying common behavioral expectations across campus, teaching, re-teaching, reinforcing, and regularly acknowledging students, faculty, and families for exhibiting these expectations. Poplar Grove Middle School has applied this framework to improve the climate, culture, and proactive disciplinary practices which directly impacts student engagement and school connectedness. In meeting this award criteria Poplar Grove Middle demonstrated use of school-wide behavioral data to inform teaching practices and levels of support provided to students based on need. Twice a year, they also reflected on overall fidelity to guide their implementation of the RTI²-B framework.

It is TBSP’s goal that no school in Tennessee should have to travel more than 45 minutes to see an exemplary school implementing RTI²-B. As a silver level RTI²-B Model of Demonstration School, Poplar Grove Middle School can now serve as a mentor to other schools across Middle Tennessee. They had the opportunity to network with other schools across the state as they received this award at the Partners In Education Conference held in Nashville by the Department of Education.