Although state officials were happy with New Bedford Schools' progress, they say there's still work to do with student support.

At Monday's School Committee meeting, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education presented a report on New Bedford's Accelerated Improvement Plan.

The AIP report looked into looked into increasing student standards, improving professional development and support, and increasing family engagement.

Officials hope the Positive Behavior Intervention System could improve help for students with emotional and behavioral issues before an alternative school like Whaling City is needed.

DESE officials plan to collect data to track improvements in support for students with emotional and behavioral issues through the PBIS.

According to Superintendent Pia Durkin, the system will help teachers learn to eliminate the triggers that lead to behavior issues in the classroom by connecting with the students.

"Relationships are very important," Durkin says, "That is one of the reasons we embarked on the Positive Behavior Intervention System that is in our middle schools now, and in our large elementary schools."

So far, the PBIS has found that 28% of middle and high school students felt unconnected to an adult at their school.

Durkin tells WBSM News higher investments in student adjustment councilors and behavior specialists will be a part of the FY 17 budget.

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