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