The West Kern Consortium (WKC) for Full-Service Community Schools serves six small, rural school districts in Kern County, California, a region known for its agricultural economy and tight-knit communities. WKC supports nearly 4,000 students, 87% of whom qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and many of whom are English learners or come from migrant families. Schools within the consortium face unique challenges, including limited resources, high poverty rates, and barriers to educational equity.

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Three elementary school districts—Lost Hills, Semitropic, and Elk Hills —partnered with Koru to address longstanding challenges with implementing PBIS systems.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Challenge

 

Before 2019, PBIS efforts across the three districts were disjointed. While foundational PBIS structures existed, inconsistent implementation and resistance from stakeholders hampered progress. Administrators and educators often lacked clarity on how to prioritize tasks or measure success, leading to frustration or missed opportunities to improve school climate.

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Many teams had undergone basic training but struggled to implement strategies effectively. Administrators often felt unsure of how to prioritize or troubleshoot issues, while resistance from some staff and students further slowed progress.​​

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“We knew what PBIS was supposed to look like, but the gap between theory and practice was overwhelming. Our staff needed support to feel confident in what to prioritize and how to move forward.” – Elk Hills School Leader

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These challenges created a pressing need for local, intensive coaching to provide clarity and ensure sustainable implementation.

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​​​​​​The Solution

 

The three WKC districts partnered with Koru to implement targeted strategies that addressed these gaps:

• Implementation Coaching: PBIS teams received regular coaching to co-plan and facilitate meetings, develop data-informed action plans, and communicate their progress to stakeholders.

• Data-Informed Improvement: Teams used systemwide and student-level assessments to set measurable goals and track progress. This ensured that every action was tied to clear outcomes.

• Cross-District Collaboration: A steering committee brought leaders together to solve common challenges, share resources, and align on best practices.

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​​​Over five years (2019–2024), Koru supported 25 staff members and parents, mentoring three leaders who guided their districts to achieve Platinum and Gold PBIS recognition.

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