CPS Expansion Poster
Arlington Public Schools
District Investment Grant Proposal
Panel A
Sustaining & Expanding CPS
Building Collaborative Problem Solving Capacity Across Arlington Secondary Schools
I. Project Overview
This initiative seeks to expand implementation of Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) across Arlington High School (AHS) and Ottoson Middle School (OMS). By building on AHS success and initiating a structured rollout at OMS, we aim to strengthen our Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) and advance district-wide equity and mental health goals.
Priority 1: Equity
Focus on Student Belonging (1.2) and MTSS Frameworks (1.3).
Priority 2: Staff
Reimagined Professional Development (2.2) via Think:Kids partnership.
II. Rationale: Why CPS?
"CPS reframes challenging behavior as a skills issue rather than a matter of motivation, shifting staff response from assumptions to empathy."
Trauma-Informed & Evidence-Based
Developed by Think:Kids at MGH, emphasizing collaborative skill-building over punishment.
Reducing Implicit Bias
Promotes trust and equity by engaging students in open-ended conversations and proactive planning.
Arlington Public Schools 2025 Arlington Education Foundation
Panel B
Proven Results: AHS (2019–2022)
75%
Reduction in Out-of-School Suspensions
1.1K+
Recorded Proactive CPS Contacts (2020-21)
The "Why Now" / Focal Groups
Persistent racial disproportionality and rising behavioral needs post-pandemic demand expanded expertise. We must specifically improve support for:
Students with IEPs Multilingual Learners BIPOC Students
III. Design & Sustainability
Tier 1 Training
120 participants in August 2025 across secondary staff.
Certified Capacity
3 AHS faculty members in Trainer Certification for internal PD.
Fee-Based Model
60 external seats to offset costs and ensure future replication.
MTSS Integration
Embedded in AHS advisory and OMS Tier 1 behavioral systems.
IV. Impact & Evaluation
Anticipated Impact
- Increased student sense of belonging
- Decreased discipline disproportionality
- Improved staff confidence & empathy
- Stronger student-adult engagement
Evaluation Metrics
- Panorama Culture & Climate Surveys
- Suspension & Behavior Incident Analysis
- Coaching Fidelity & Staff Pre/Post Surveys
- Student Connection Self-Reports
Arlington Public Schools
Sustaining & Expanding Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS)
Contact: Office of Student Support Services