What is PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports)?
It is a proactive systems approach to preventing and responding to classroom and school-wide discipline problems. The PBIS emphases are directed toward developing and maintaining a safe learning environment where teachers can teach and student can learn.
It’s a school-wide integration of:
- A systems and process approach for teaching behavior
- A continuum of behavioral supports
- Prevention-focused efforts to reduce behavioral problems
- Specific instruction of academic and personal/social behavior
- Research-based practices
- Ongoing use of data to make decisions regarding needs and successes at the building level
Tier 1 – Universal Level
Tier 1 interventions and supports are intended for all students in the school. The core components of prevention include:
- setting clear behavioral expectations (school-wide and classroom matrix, Cool Tools, Kick-offs and Stop/Walk/Talk Bully Prevention)
- creating an acknowledgment system to reinforce desired behaviors (PAWS incentives)
- developing a system for addressing misbehavior (discipline plan)
Tier 2 – Secondary Interventions and Supports
Tier 2 interventions and supports are designed for the 10-15% of the students who are not responding effectively to the universal supports of the school. These students need more intensive interventions to reduce problem behaviors. Tier 2 team members determine and monitor the entrance and exit criteria for Tier 2 interventions.
Interventions that may be put in place to support students are:
- Check-In/Check-Out (CICO)
- Individualized Check-In/Check-Out
- Social/Academic Instructional Groups (SAIG)
- Check N Connect
- Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
Tier 3 Interventions and Supports
The Tier 3 team identifies the 5-10% of students who are not responding to the Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions.
There is no set criterion but the following needs are considered:
- The student’s needs are numerous and cannot be effectively handled through Tier 1 or 2 services.
- The student’s needs range across the life domain areas: family, living situation, vocational, educational, social/recreational, psychological/emotional, medical, legal, and safety/crisis.
- The student is at-risk for change of educational placement because he/she is not responding to current systems and practices.
- The adults in the student’s life are facing life challenges impacting the entire family.
The student and/or family member(s) have expressed a concern.