PBIS Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports

Unfortunately, no magic wand single-handedly works to remove the barriers to learning that occur when behaviors are disrupting the learning community. The climate of each learning community is different; therefore, a “one size fits all” approach is less effective than interventions based on the needs of each school.

One of the foremost advances in school-wide discipline is the emphasis on school-wide systems of support that include proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments. Instead of using a piecemeal approach of individual behavioral management plans, a continuum of positive behavior support for all students within a school is implemented in areas including the classroom and non-classroom settings (such as hallways, buses, and restrooms).

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture and needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success. Attention is focused on creating and sustaining primary (school-wide), secondary (classroom), and tertiary (individual) systems of support that improve lifestyle results (personal, health, social, family, work, recreation) for all youth by making targeted misbehavior less effective, efficient, and relevant, and desired behavior more functional.

The following diagram illustrates the multi-level approach offered to all students in the school. These group depictions represent systems of support not children:

 

 

Schools are successful when they help children grow academically, socially, and emotionally.  For this to happen it is important that we have a safe environment that is supportive and conducive for growth.  By setting forth clear social and behavioral expectations and directly teaching students about those expectations, it is our goal is to continue to have a positive atmosphere for optimal learning.

 

We are excited that Brookside Elementary School participates in Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS). PBIS is a system for improving student behavior. It is used with all students across all environments in school (classroom, lunchroom, restroom, playground, library, MPR and hallways) to help create a safe and effective learning environment. Here at Brookside, we are committed to teach, reinforce, and acknowledge appropriate student behaviors. At all times, staff and students are expected to:                               

"BE RESPECTFUL, BE RESPONSIBLE, and BE SAFE"

To help students be successful with this, we strive to instill sixteen lifelong positive social skills in our students.

 

The 16 Positive Behavior Skills that we continually focus on at Brookside are:

 

 

It is my hope that we will all continue to work together to ensure that PBIS is successful and meaningful here at Brookside. Families, please encourage your child(ren) to engage in positive behaviors and aim for success everyday.

 

 

Why is it so important to focus on teaching positive social behaviors?

Frequently, the question is asked, “Why should we have to teach kids to be good? They already know what they are supposed to do. Why can we not just expect good behavior?” In the past, school-wide discipline has focused mainly on reacting to specific student misbehavior by implementing punishment-based strategies including reprimands, loss of privileges, office referrals, suspensions, and expulsions. Research has shown that the implementation of punishment, especially when it is used inconsistently and in the absence of other positive strategies, is ineffective. Introducing, modeling, and reinforcing positive social behavior is an important step of a student’s educational experience. Teaching behavioral expectations and rewarding students for following them is a much more positive approach than waiting for misbehavior to occur before responding. The purpose of school-wide PBIS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm.

 *  Outcomes: academic and behavior targets that are endorsed and emphasized by students, families, and educators. (What is important to each particular learning community?)

 * Practices: interventions and strategies that are evidence based. (How will you reach the goals?)

 * Data: information that is used to identify status, need for change, and effects of interventions. (What data will you use to support your success or barriers?)

 * Systems: supports that are needed to enable the accurate and durable implementation of the practices of PBS. (What durable systems can be implemented that will sustain this over the long haul?)

 

 

Data-based decision-making aligns curricular instruction and behavioral supports to student and staff needs.  Schools applying PBIS begin by establishing clear expectations for behavior that are taught, modeled, and reinforced across all settings and by all staff.  This provides a host environment that supports the adoption and sustained use of effective academic and social/emotional instruction.  PBIS has proven its effectiveness and efficiency as an Evidence-Based Practice. (Sugai & Horner, 2007).

 

 

The discipline of students with behavior problems continues to be a major concern to most schools.  Discipline methods that are very reactive in nature tend to focus on short-term solutions. Typically, a child is disciplined after the problem behavior occurs and little is done to teach appropriate behaviors or prevent the occurrence of further problem behaviors.  Research shows that schools using traditional and more punitive types of discipline continue to experience significant increases in violence and destructive behavior as well as increases in the number of students excluded from instruction due to suspension or expulsion.

 

 

Parents can help by familiarizing themselves with the behavior expectations so they can teach, monitor and acknowledge those same expectations at home, increasing home-school consistency.  Parents can also get involved in school-wide and classroom acknowledgement activities (helping with celebrations and ceremonies).

 

Family

 

The link between families and positive behavioral interventions and supports is an important one. When families are meaningfully involved in educational activities their children do better in schools. Families play an important part in their child's education and social development.

What can I do to help with PBIS?

• Review the behavior expectations with your child.

• Ensure that your child is well rested and on time for each school day.

• Ask your child about his/her school day.

• Encourage your child to do his/her homework and keep up with his/her classes.

• Stay in contact with your child's teacher(s).

• Encourage your child to use proper language and tone.

• Practice polite phrases like "Thank you," "Please," and "Excuse me."

• Incorporate Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe into your family rules.

• Be involved with the school. Attend school functions and activities when possible.

• Volunteer.

 

Expected Behavior at Home 

Different homes may have different sets of expectations. Whatever you decide is right for your home, it is important to set the expectations and then follow through. To help you get started here are a few tips other families use:

Example #1 | Use positive wording 

When misbehavior occurs offer positive alternatives instead of harsh criticism. 

  Negative Reaction              Positive Alternative

         Don’t run.                                Walk.

       Stop yelling.                   Use your inside voice.

No playing catch inside.     Play catch out in the yard. 

Example #2 | Be a teacher 

If you have to say no, give a reason why. 

Scenario: While shopping your child asks you to buy him a toy. He already has toys and you are short on time. You tell your child “No, we cannot buy that toy today. You already have a toy in the car to play with on the way home.” 

If your child accepts your answer make sure to compliment him.

Example #3 | Reward positive behavior 

Use positive reinforcement to teach children what actions are accepted and desired. Rewards don’t need to cost a thing. Try sitting down with your child to find out what rewards would work best. 

• Ask your child to make a list of the things they enjoy like going to the park or getting ice cream together. This will help you determine what they are motivated by.
• Create a special "reward" basket of toys that you already own, but they only get to play with when they have shown what was expected. You can do this with stickers as well to earn the basket of toys.
• Create a menu of rewards, such as special dinners, special desserts, computer time, game night, watching extra TV, extra book time, etc.
• Create celebration dances or songs.
• Create a system of recognition. If one of your expectations is that your child will do chores each week, create a board that lists each chore. When your child has completed a chore, use a sticker to mark it complete. At the end of the week, give a reward if all chores are complete. Consider choosing a reward from the list your child made of things they enjoy!  

 

https://www.pbis.org/ 

http://www.pbisworld.com/

 

Student Behavior

 

Positive Behavior Intervention Skills (PBIS)