PBIS

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a data-driven system of tools, strategies, and interventions for defining, teaching, and acknowledging appropriate behavior–and correcting inappropriate behavior–that is designed to positively impact school-wide and individualized behavior planning. The goal of SWPBIS is to change the behavioral paradigm to focus on positive expectations and interactions, thereby establishing a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm.

Four Components of PBIS

• Customized practices to support student behavior, such as defining and teaching appropriate behavior

• Systems of support for all school staff, such as school-wide behavioral expectations, indicators, and lessons

• Data-based decision making, which is the foundation of the behavior problem-solving process

• The combination of the aforementioned to enable school-wide outcomes, which promote social proficiency and academic success

Focus on Teaching Positive Behaviors

Traditionally, school-wide discipline primarily focuses on reacting to specific student misbehavior by implementing punishment-based strategies including reprimands, loss of privileges, office referrals, suspensions, and expulsions. However, research finds that the implementation of punishment, especially when it is used inconsistently and in the absence of other positive strategies, is ineffective. Additionally, studies show that introducing, modeling, and reinforcing positive social behavior effectively reduces the number of behavioral infractions and the recidivism thereof. Therefore, teaching behavioral expectations and rewarding students for following them is a much more positive approach than waiting for misbehavior to occur before responding.