PBIS is a team based, systematic approach in teaching behavioral expectations throughout the school. It is based on a proactive model which teaches the behaviors, reinforces and recognizes students who are able to model these behaviors and has systems in place to support students who have a difficult time or may present with more challenging behaviors.
The team approach is what truly makes this system work and we really need every family’s support to help us be successful.
Approach:
Instead of using a patchwork of individual behavioral management plans, we have moved to a school-wide discipline system that addresses the entire school, the classroom, areas outside the classroom (such as hallways, restrooms, offices, cafeteria, playground/school grounds etc.).
Every person who works in the school is aware of the behavioral expectations and works to ensure students are consistently getting the same message, regardless of the setting they are in or the adult they come in contact with.
Implementation Plan:
Behavioral Expectations are Defined. A small number of clearly defined behavioral expectations are simply stated in positive terms. Each building identifies their expectations. For example: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Cooperative.
Behavioral Expectations are Taught: Behavioral expectations are identified for various settings in each school. The behaviors are taught to all of the students in the school through direct teaching with the help of staff.
Appropriate Behaviors are Acknowledged: Once appropriate behaviors have been defined and taught, they are acknowledged in various ways on a regular basis. Examples of reinforcements used are: Gold & Platinum Cards, Cheers for Peers, Kudos for Kids, Perfect Attendance Awards, Positive Office Referrals, Good Citizen Postcards, and Praise Hats.
Data Collection: Office Discipline data is collected on school-wide behavior and a team reviews the data regularly to determine when and where the problems are occurring. The committee then brainstorms ways to proactively address the problems and to re-teach and reinforce positive behaviors. All staff and parents are represented on the team.
Individual Support is Provided for Students not Responding to the School- Wide System: Each school has a system for developing plans for individual students who may have a difficult time and need more support in a school setting. Teams meet regularly and involve parents as active partners in helping students to succeed.
Active Support by All Stakeholders: The entire school community is needed to be actively involved in order to make the system successful. PBIS is a districtwide system for establishing a positive culture in each building.
Benefits of PBIS (research based):
Increases attendance.
Student self-reports of a more positive and calm environment.
Teacher reports of a more positive and calm environment.
Reduction in the proportion of students who engage in behavioral disruptions.
Reduction in the number of behavioral disruptions.
For more information about PBIS, please visit our individual school websites or go to
