Hero - The power of a pilot: Small and sustainable initiatives to start implementing change

As the old saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Building a strong, sustainable process before rolling anything out to all stakeholders is extremely important. If you are starting a new PBIS program at any time during semester two, you are most likely doing so with staff already committed to an outcome for accountability data. It’s actually the perfect time to try something new. There is one semester of complete data as a baseline for which to compare your progress and a control group in the staff who does not undertake any new initiatives.

Following a cyclical calendar to implement change can feel overwhelming. So, starting small and rolling through strategic steps is an important way to ensure that the best ideas move forward with as much collaborative support as possible. Remember, starting small might feel a little slower and you may not get as much of a “wow” factor. However, it’s hard to dampen momentum that is growing in the hearts of students, parents, and teachers one step at a time.

So where should you begin? What kind of pilot are you interested in trying? Listed below are a few samples of some of the best Hero pilot strategies that produce sustainable results and a strong, full-year rollout.