What is PBIS?
“Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a multitiered framework to improve and integrate all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. PBIS creates schools where all students succeed.” – pbis.org
Tier 1:
Tier one is the universal prevention meant for all children. This support gives most children what they need in order to be successful.
Tier 2:
When students are not making progress in tier one, they move up to tier two. Tier two provides supports for children with similar, specific needs by providing more opportunities for more intense intervention and instruction based on the needs of that student.
Tier 3:
Students receive high amounts of supports and intense intervention at this level. At this level, students are typically eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Schools will often turn to formal assessments to determine what the best plan of action is for that particular student.
What does this look like in a classroom?
Before the students even enter the classroom, the environment of the class needs to be set up in a way that promotes positive learning. The desks should strategically be set up so that the teacher can see the students at all times and should reflect the type of work that children are doing in the classroom.
Create the rules of the classroom with the students. This is a powerful action that sets the expectations for the school year. By creating the rules with the students rather than for the students, both the students and the teacher are held accountable for these rules. These rules should be posted and visible for students to see at all times.
Positive reinforcement is everything. Students need to reminded of the positive things they are doing in the classroom, not the negatives.
Each student should have a sense of belonging and purpose within the classroom. A great example is classroom jobs. This should be apart of their daily routine and should be a positive contribution to the classroom.
When students do exhibit the problem behavior, they should have a Safe Space, Peace Corner, or a Brave Space where they have the opportunity to recognize and reflect on their words and/or actions and think about what kinds of words and actions they do want to exhibit.
The National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
The following link provides information about the Pyramid Model and how it can be used in the classroom:
https://challengingbehavior.cbcs.usf.edu/index.html