Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
PBIS
What Is PBIS?
PBIS is a comprehensive, 3-tiered approach to implementing positive and consistent student discipline systems in schools and preschools. Unlike other approaches to student discipline, PBIS encourages a positive climate schoolwide by focusing systematically on the general school population, students at risk and students with intensive or chronic behavioral and emotional problems. PBIS also recognizes that student discipline systems, including the definitions of and responses to problem behavior, need to be consistent across classroom and non-classroom settings; thus, PBIS complements and extends the approach used in other programs such as Responsive Classroom.
PBIS is a comprehensive, 3-tiered approach to implementing positive and consistent student discipline systems in schools and preschools. Unlike other approaches to student discipline, PBIS encourages a positive climate schoolwide by focusing systematically on the general school population, students at risk and students with intensive or chronic behavioral and emotional problems. PBIS also recognizes that student discipline systems, including the definitions of and responses to problem behavior, need to be consistent across classroom and non-classroom settings; thus, PBIS complements and extends the approach used in other programs such as Responsive Classroom.
How is PBIS Different from Other Discipline Systems?
Typical discipline systems in schools have often relied on reaction to negative behavior and punishment of the offender. Hundreds of studies have shown, however, that this approach does little to reduce chronic misbehavior, nor does it produce positive long-term outcomes for school or student. The PBIS method of student discipline is based on four key principles:
1. Prevention - Correct behaviors are established, taught, modeled and acknowledged in a systematic way throughout the school. Students are "caught" engaging in the desired behaviors, and this behavior is regularly reinforced and recognized.
2. Response - The response to undesirable behavior is organized, systematic, consistent and careful. Considerable thought and effort goes into getting the entire school community on the same page with respect to common definitions of, and the most effective response to, problem behaviors.
3. Data-driven - Discipline data is collected school-wide in a user-friendly format. Entered and analyzed in an established on-line database provided for school use, the data provides guidance for understanding when and where problem behavior is more likely to occur. Strategies to address behaviors in these situations are developed, and the data then provides evidence for whether these strategies are working.
4. Process - PBIS is not a pre-packaged program. Rather, it is a framework that guides the school community through a process of addressing the unique culture, climate and behavioral issues within each school. The idea is to work smarter, not harder, to improve behavior and school climate.
What are the Goals of PBIS?
The goals of PBIS provide the foundation for a good education, including:
• Regain the teaching time currently spent in managing misbehavior
• Maximize on-task time and academic achievement for all students
• Increase positive and civil social behavior
• Increase family engagement in schools
• Improve school climate for students and adults
Long-term outcomes include:
• Enduring, positive changes in behavior
• Reduction in the need for serious disciplinary measures such as suspension and expulsion
• Increase in graduation rates
• Improvement in post-high school outcomes for all students, including those with challenging behavior and educational disabilities
PBIS addresses:
• High rates of problem behavior (disruption, defiance, fighting)
• Ineffective and inefficient disciplinary practices
• Lack of general and specialized behavioral intervention
• Lack of supports for staff to address problem behavior
• Negative school climates
• Reliance on crisis / reactive management
Four overlapping systems are emphasized:
• School-wide discipline (all students, all staff, all settings)
• Classroom management
• Nonclassroom supervision (e.g., hallways, cafeteria, playground)
• Individual student
A continuum of research validated practices is emphasized. The following topics are covered:
• School-wide discipline practices
• Social skills instruction
• Self-management strategies
• Behavioral interventions and classroom management
• Functional assessment based behavior support planning
• Active supervision in non-classroom settings
• Building intervention team planning/problem solving
• Comprehensive wraparound-based plans for students with most intensive needsN
For More Information, Visit These Sites
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•Council for Exceptional Children - Articles and resources about PBIS and children with emotional and behavioral disorders
North Elementary, in our never-ending quest to provide the best possible educational foundations for our students, recently instituted PBIS: Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. PBIS focuses on modeling and acknowledging acceptable behavior on a school-wide basis. The information below will give you general information about PBIS. Feel free to contact North Elementary, 856-4561, for specific North Elementary PBIS information.
