POSITIVE Main Components

There are three critical features of PBIS:

BEHAVIOR & SYSTEMS: structures & supports provided to enhance

teachers' implementation of evidence-based practices

INTERVENTIONS
DATA: specific, observable, and measurable information
about students, which help to continue, adapt, or modify
PBIS implementation

SUPPORTS
PRACTICE: preventative & responsive approaches
implemented in a classroom which can be intensified
within small groups and with specific individuals

A brief overview of this multi-tiered approach to academic, social,

emotional, and behavior support intended to create positive school
climates and to promote schools' effectiveness, efficiency, and equity.
THE WHEN
by Tara Strade 4

PBIS has held a unique place in special education law

since
Congress amended the Individuals with Disabilities
THE WHO Education Act (IDEA) in 1997. As it is noted as
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"positive behavioral interventions and supports" in
PBIS is supported by classroom teachers, school administrators, IDEA, PBIS is the only approach to address behavior
coaches & facilitators, school district leadership, and family mentioned in the law.
members for the benefit of all children. Therefore, PBIS is not
limited to students with disabilities; rather, it impacts all
individuals involved in the educational process. THE WHY
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While PBIS helps students develop and learn social, emotional, According to IRIS Center, a common concern among
behavioral competence, this approach also guides teachers to beginning teachers in particular is they lack the
creating positive, predictable, and safe environments, particularly skills and knowledge to address disruptive behavior
through teaching, modelling, and encouragement. (Oliver & Reschly, 2007; Jones & Jones, 2007).

The quality of a school’s social environment has a

THE WHAT profound impact on student outcomes such as
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academic performance, attendance, behavior, and
An evidence-based framework which works to reduce behavioral even education completion rates. By focusing on
issues within the classroom. PBIS, educators create an environment that helps all
students achieve important behavior changes. This
Much like RtI (Response to Intervention), PBIS is broken up into promotes positive school climates, safer learning
three tiers of support for student & staff: environments, and more trust & respect in student-
teacher relationships!
TIER 1: A school-wide, universal system for all students to learn
to basic behavioral expectations; for example, to be respectful
and kind to one another. Teachers may use small rewards to THE HOW
encourage positive behavior across their classrooms 6

Here are a few tips & tricks for implementing PBIS

TIER 2: An extra layer of support for students who continually in your classroom:
struggle with behavior. This is where teachers would use Establish a consistent classroom routine
evidence-based interventions and instruction; for example, a Use physical proximity (i.e. walking around the
"social skills club," where students learn how to get along with classroom during instruction) to prevent
their peers potential disruptions
Use non-verbal cues & signals to redirect student
TIER 3: The most intensive level of support for students who behavior
perpetual struggle with behavior; this is often students who need Use games & friendly competitions to keep the
individualized supports and serves. However, students with IEPs lesson engaging
or 504 Plans can land in ANY of these three tiers! Be responsive to cultural differences when
approaching students, particularly given
WHAT IT IS NOT: PBIS is NOT a curriculum, but merely a guide to acceptable behavioral patterns differ cross-
implement practices in order to improve the behavior of all culturally
students without sacrificing opportunities for them to learn and Communicate clearly and consistently; for
to be successful. example, use "I statements" when addressing a
problem rather than accusatory "You
statements"
THE WHERE Ensure consequences are appropriate,
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manageable, timely, and clearly explained
As PBIS is directly mentioned in IDEA, this approach is uniquely
implemented in districts, schools, and classrooms nationally.
[ TECH TIP: "iBehaveWell" is a cheap app that allows teachers to
monitor, track, and share behavior data with students, parents, &
administrators!
]
Reflection: PBIS allows for a more positive, strengths-based approach to teaching and learning. I believe teachers should recognize the significance of classroom management and preventive school discipline
to maximize student success, rather than rely on punishment. As I will be teaching in Buffalo Public Schools - a culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse district - PBIS is crucial to reduce the detrimental
effects of things like "zero-tolerance" policies, which create a school to prison pipeline. Overall, PBIS proves to be pertinent for the success of ALL students, and I am excited to implement these strategies!