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What is PBIS? PBIS is an acronym for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. It is not a program, but a culture shift. It is systems and practices that changes school climate, improves teacher-student relationships and reduces discipline violations. It includes proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting positive student behaviors to create healthy school environments. Instead of a school discipline policy that focused on the students AFTER violating policy, it focuses on teaching expected behaviors and rewarding students for practicing these behaviors on a daily basis.
Schools who implement, reinforce and practice PBIS strategies increases school safety and climate, increases academic achievement and social competence, decreases behavior disruptions and teacher/administrative time, and decreases Office Discipline Referrals and suspensions.
PBIS is three-tiered system: Tier 1 (every student, school-wide, foundational practices), Tier 2 (specific classroom, small targeted groups, students in specific situations), Tier 3 (specific individuals). The majority of students (80% - 90%) will respond to Tier 1 interventions. Students (or small groups of students) who do not respond to Tier 1 interventions, will be referred for Tier 2 and then Tier 3 interventions.
Tier 1 PBIS Interventions:
- School-wide expectations
- Signs defining the behaviors that meet these expectations in different settings (matrices).
- Major Infractions and Minor Infractions Discipline Flow Chart
- Minor Infractions tracking system
- Reward system
- Consistent Office Discipline Referral Form
- School-wide teaching of expectations/behaviors 2x/year with constant re-teaching throughout the year
- Quarterly PBIS Rewards Assemblies
- Frequent data analysis
- Mid-Year and End-of-Year Reward Contracts
- School-wide Counselor run prevention education
- Student, Parent and Staff surveys
Tier 2 PBIS Interventions
- SIT (Student Intervention Team) Referral/SIT Process
- School-Family meetings
- Check In/Check Out
- Modified Passport with behavior goals
- Mentoring program
- Implement home/school reward reinforcement system
- Targeted classroom management assistance
- Small group counseling
- Social Responsibility instruction (Anti-bullying)
- Targeted classroom counseling/behavior education
- Social Skills Groups
Tier 3 PBIS Interventions
- One on one counseling
- FBAs (functional behavioral assessments)
- BIPs (Behavior Intervention Plans)
- CUTS Citation
- Chemical Awareness Prevention (CAP) classes
- Connecting families with outside resources
- Formal Discipline Hearings
- Alternate programs to suspension or expulsion






