Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
What is PBIS?
PBIS is a behavior system designed to support the Response to Intervention (RtI) program most schools have already implemented. The goal is PBIS is to generate positive behaviors of the students where it is used by rewarded students who demonstrate correct targeted behaviors.
What are the core beliefs of PBIS?
1. Common expectations and language should be established throughout the school
2. All adults working with students should be aware of expectations and language used
3. All students must be clearly made aware of expectations
4. When students follow expectations, positive behavior is rewarded (verbal praise, additional priviledges, etc.)
5. Staff should maintain no less than a 7:1 positive to negative feedback ratio
How does PBIS work?
PBIS works by creating a positive environment for all students by rewarding those behaviors that are desired. It's structure closely follows the tiered RtI model. This does not mean students are not still disciplined when they break school rules, but by having all students striving to do the right thing, incidences of misbehavior are greatly reduced in schools using PBIS.
Implementing PBIS
The first step to a school wide PBIS implementation is determining what areas expectations should be taught in first. For instance, hallway behavior, bathroom behavior, cafeteria, school bus, playground, etc. It is recommended that staff and students select just a few locations for the first year. Once these areas have been selected, staff (or a PBIS committee) needs to create a behavior matrix. A behavior matrix is essentially a document that outlines what behaviors are expected from students in these areas. An example of a classroom behavior matrix can be found here. As you can see, it is very specific and clear. Additionally, all expectations are able to fit into the three main school rules, in this case, respect, responsibility, and safety. In my school, our three rules are slightly different, and our matrix is a little different as well. I keep the school matrix prominently posted in my classroom so there is a common language.
Once these steps have been taken, expectations can be taught to the students. I included a link to a possible video teaching hallway expectations below. This is not the only option. My students have acted out proper expectations, we have discussed them, and we have also watched skits. The most important thing is that students are well aware of what they are supposed to be doing.
The final step is to give positive feedback to students when you catch them doing the right thing. This is often in the form of tickets which can be redeemed for something, or whole class rewards. This part is up to you. In my school, we would have a fun afternoon once a month rewarding students without any write-ups. When a classroom would get enough "Paws" they could choose a fun activity like pajama day or a movie.
Where can I find more information?
A great resource (although I'm biased since I have been teaching/getting trained in PBIS in Wisconsin is the Wisconsin PBIS network site. Although all of the site has good information, if you click on Parents and Family you will find information directly related to you.
This video is a good example of teaching appropriate hallway behavior. We used a similar video (that I don't currently have access to) using our own students and teachers to teach all students proper hallway behavior.
Other good resources include this site with videos detailing how teachers can explain expectations to their student on the REMC Association of Michigan.
PBIS is a behavior system designed to support the Response to Intervention (RtI) program most schools have already implemented. The goal is PBIS is to generate positive behaviors of the students where it is used by rewarded students who demonstrate correct targeted behaviors.
What are the core beliefs of PBIS?
1. Common expectations and language should be established throughout the school
2. All adults working with students should be aware of expectations and language used
3. All students must be clearly made aware of expectations
4. When students follow expectations, positive behavior is rewarded (verbal praise, additional priviledges, etc.)
5. Staff should maintain no less than a 7:1 positive to negative feedback ratio
How does PBIS work?
PBIS works by creating a positive environment for all students by rewarding those behaviors that are desired. It's structure closely follows the tiered RtI model. This does not mean students are not still disciplined when they break school rules, but by having all students striving to do the right thing, incidences of misbehavior are greatly reduced in schools using PBIS.
Implementing PBIS
The first step to a school wide PBIS implementation is determining what areas expectations should be taught in first. For instance, hallway behavior, bathroom behavior, cafeteria, school bus, playground, etc. It is recommended that staff and students select just a few locations for the first year. Once these areas have been selected, staff (or a PBIS committee) needs to create a behavior matrix. A behavior matrix is essentially a document that outlines what behaviors are expected from students in these areas. An example of a classroom behavior matrix can be found here. As you can see, it is very specific and clear. Additionally, all expectations are able to fit into the three main school rules, in this case, respect, responsibility, and safety. In my school, our three rules are slightly different, and our matrix is a little different as well. I keep the school matrix prominently posted in my classroom so there is a common language.
Once these steps have been taken, expectations can be taught to the students. I included a link to a possible video teaching hallway expectations below. This is not the only option. My students have acted out proper expectations, we have discussed them, and we have also watched skits. The most important thing is that students are well aware of what they are supposed to be doing.
The final step is to give positive feedback to students when you catch them doing the right thing. This is often in the form of tickets which can be redeemed for something, or whole class rewards. This part is up to you. In my school, we would have a fun afternoon once a month rewarding students without any write-ups. When a classroom would get enough "Paws" they could choose a fun activity like pajama day or a movie.
Where can I find more information?
A great resource (although I'm biased since I have been teaching/getting trained in PBIS in Wisconsin is the Wisconsin PBIS network site. Although all of the site has good information, if you click on Parents and Family you will find information directly related to you.
This video is a good example of teaching appropriate hallway behavior. We used a similar video (that I don't currently have access to) using our own students and teachers to teach all students proper hallway behavior.
Other good resources include this site with videos detailing how teachers can explain expectations to their student on the REMC Association of Michigan.