What is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports?

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a behaviorally-based problem solving approach used to improve learning outcomes for all students by enhancing environments in which teaching and learning occur.  The PBIS technology has been applied successfully with a wide range of students, in a wide range of contexts, and incorporates intervention strategies for individual students, classrooms, and entire schools.

(For a complete definition visit www.pbis.org)

What are the GOALS of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports?

The focus of PBIS is to create and sustain school environments that improve lifestyle results for all students by making challenging behaviors less effective, efficient, and relevant.  The overall goal of PBIS is to create effective learning environments by implementing the following six key strategies:

1. Expectations are clearly and positively defined;
2. Behavioral expectations are taught to all students and staff;
3. Appropriate behaviors are acknowledged;
4. Behavior is proactively addressed;
5. A database for keeping records and making decisions is established;
6. Data-based monitoring and adaptations to the plan are regularly conducted.

Can you answer YES to any of these questions?

1. Is overall school performance below national, state, or local standards?
2. Are more than 10% of students chronically absent or tardy?
3. Are there high rates of problem student behavior resulting in loss of academic time?
4. Do teachers express dissatisfaction with the current school-wide discipline plan?
5. Do several students receive disciplinary exclusions (Out-of-school or in-school suspension, expulsion or change of placement)?

Are these the OUTCOMES you would like to achieve in your school?

1. Increase in attendance.
2. Improvement in academic performance.
3. Increase in the number of appropriate student behaviors.
4. Students and teachers report a more positive and calm environment.
5. Reduction in the number of behavioral disruptions, referrals, and incident reports.

If you answered YES to any of these items, then your school could benefit from a school-wide behavior support plan. Schools that have been successful in implementing school-wide positive behavior interventions and supports have reported the above outcomes!