Case Study: Baseline Academy achieves 82% drop in student suspensions with Kickboard PBIS & SEL coaching

How Kickboard’s PBIS and SEL Professional Development Helped Reduce Student Suspensions at Baseline Academy

Baseline Academy, a K–5 turnaround school in the Little Rock School District, struggled after reopening with inconsistent classroom expectations, a paper-based “Bluejay Bucks” system that yielded no usable behavior data, and high discipline rates (95 suspensions in 2016–2017). Before implementing Kickboard, the school lacked schoolwide accountability, a clear RtI/MTSS behavior process, and the data needed to drive consistent PBIS practices and teacher support.

Baseline implemented Kickboard to track positive and corrective interactions, adopted Kickboard’s PBIS/SEL professional development and a Kickboard Leadership Coach, and used culture PLCs and peer culture walks to build consistency. With Kickboard’s tools and coaching they set a 5:1 positivity goal and data protocols; suspensions fell from 95 to 15 the next year (an 82% decrease), office referrals dropped from about 35 in November 2018 to under 10 in later months, and 95% of student–teacher interactions recorded were positive.

Baseline Academy

Pamela Freeman

Principal