What Is PBIS In Education? How Does PBIS Work?

Meta: Several schools in the world are applying PBIS to improve their educational environment. What is PBIS in education? How does it work? Let’s discover. 

Introduction

PBIS aims to ensure the improvement of learning and social outcomes, as well as to prevent potential problem behavior. In particular, this term regards the proactive and positive systems & interventions that aid in the adaption of school change to the student behaviors. 

Scroll down to learn in detail about “What is PBIS in education?” and “How does it work?” Let’s dig in!

What Is PBIS In Education?

PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. It’s an evidence-based, three-tier model designed to support positive behavior.

In other words, it aids in the improvement of all students’ social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes. This model does not focus on punishing students for inappropriate manners. 

In contrast, it assists in correcting behavior through educator instruction and encouragement. PBIS also sets expectations for student behavior, which schools, families, and society aim for. So students can have positive changes in their emotions, manners, and other aspects. 

The school environment has since improved day by day after the application of PBIS. 

Image source: flpbis

How Does PBIS Work?

School’s Implementation

Besides giving training, schools also encourage families and society to practice cultural responsiveness. Every kid has a different personality and mindset. So schools need to provide different behavioral support frames. 

Depending on collected data to assess student improvement, educators can find out kids’ weaknesses and strengths. Then they will assemble groups so students can support and learn from each other. 

Schools will conduct an early intervention for students with negative behavior. Its goal is to avoid long-term negative effects on students’ life.

School implementations should be based on scientific research evidence. Conducting universal screening and providing expertise can help students improve their day-to-day behavior. 

In particular, schools, families, and society need to agree on goals and directions. They also need to encourage good behavior for students to achieve desired results. 

Students’ Learning

PBIS encourages students to meet behavioral expectations in specific situations. Students can improve their behavior in different environments through specific instructions from teachers. 

Also, each learner will reflect on their training so that the school can make assessments and help students improve their current competencies. 

Image source: flpbis

Four Elements Of PBIS

Systems

Educators implement PBIS at all levels of education – it can be preschool, elementary school, middle, and high school. The basic systems regulate how schools and programs function. 

It involves team structure, practice plans, problem-solving processes, personnel, and training strategies. These mechanisms in PBIS foster accurate, long-term practice and the appropriate use of data to get positive outcomes. 

Data

Schools collect information about students’ daily behavior. PBIS categorizes and organizes data groups. Thus, student performance can be monitored and evaluated day in and day out. 

The framework uses this data to navigate the work it has to do. In other words, it offers solutions to correct and improve student behavior over time. It is important to consider local culture and context throughout the decision-making process to ensure fair outcomes and correct orientation for all students and teachers. 

Image source: PBISAz

Practices

PBIS has tested, assessed, and adjusted the evidence-based activities they apply to students. Its goal is to create a stable and positive learning environment. 

In particular, PBIS determines these actions based on who is applied and how it is applied. Besides, the results are recorded through practice. The effectiveness is also proven through specific studies. 

For example, teachers need a common approach to help improve children’s behavior. They also need to set about 3 to 5 positive expectations across the school. Designing a clear curriculum for each one is also necessary. 

Strategies should be devised to capture information about social skills. It also regulates students’ emotions and behavior after receiving specific feedback. Schools should establish feedback strategies to let kids know which behavior is appropriate in certain contexts. 

Outcomes

The prime goal of PBIS data, systems, and practices implementation is to enhance outcomes. Parents, kids, and teachers set targets and collaborate to meet them. PBIS results involve increased behavioral, social, emotional, and academic improvement. 

Image source: California PBIS Coalition

3 Tiers Of Behavior Support

The type and level of behavioral support provided to students must be appropriate to the level of the student’s state. 

The student’s responsiveness to academic and behavioral support should be viewed as the goal of instructional and intervention decisions by teachers and schools. There’re three tiers of behavior support: universal, targeted, and intensive – individualized prevention. 

Universal, Primary Prevention

Tier 1 Support includes systems, data, and practices. It is available to all students, staff, teachers, and families. All focus on teaching social skills as well as behavioral expectations for kids. Schools measure positive student manners in all school settings. 

PBIS Tier 1 builds a social culture where students expect, promote, and reinforce appropriate behavior for each other. To do that, tier 1 conducts a joint intervention. This tier usually includes more than 80% of students.

Families, schools, and society work together. They need to clarify expectations, aligning them with school-wide expectations. Besides, teachers need to organize instruction in detail about these expectations. 

They need to encourage students to perform positive behaviors. If any negative or undesirable one occurs, it should be prevented by appropriate, non-negative measures. 

Targeted, Secondary Prevention

Tier 2 Support focuses more on students who don’t succeed with tier 1 Support. More instructional time and care will be available to this group of students. 

System and practice factors are more effective in this tier – The typical scope includes self-management, input & output testing. It conducts instruction in social and emotional skills. It also sets learning progress with frequent reminders. 

Typically, schools offer tier 2 Support to 5-15% of students. Coordination between school and home is also strengthened in this tier. 

Image source: PBIS Rewards

Intensive And Individualized Tertiary Prevention

Tier 3 is more specialized and personalized. Schools use assessments to match functional behavioral interventions. They set individualized plans that integrate a student’s academic strengths and weaknesses, physical and medical conditions, mental health needs, and family or community support. 

This tier keeps strategies emphasizing preventing problematic cases and recognizing desired behavior. It also involves positive guidance on the new, substitute, and adaptive behaviors. Besides, systematic processes are strengthened to lessen the behavior problem. It ensures safe habits and accurate and sustainable execution for kids. 

Data is collected to measure fidelity and impact. The coordination between the family, agency and other care systems is reinforced. The target of tier 3 support covers 3-5% of students in the school, which is the group of students with the highest support needs. 

PBIS Rewards

How Does It Work?

PBIS Rewards is a platform to help manage PBIS in students. This multi-device system helps teachers recognize and record positive student behaviors. It can be conducted from the PBIS Reward software on mobile phones or from the PBIS Rewards Group section on the website. 

Teachers will award a certain number of points for each positive behavior. This score will be automatically summarized and reported back to the platform. It allows effective management of staff as well as monitoring of student progress based on a system of expected behavior. 

Teachers just need to select the expectation and number of points, scan the student’s badge or search for the student’s name. All information about the student’s score and practice will appear. PBIS login is available on mobile and desktop for both students and parents to track. 

Students will be motivated to see their scores increase on the app. Parents will be proud when their child achieves a higher score. It thereby motivates the child to maintain and improve positive behaviors. 

Image source: horrycountyschools

Advanced Features

The Advanced Referral System

The Advanced Referral System (ARS) is convenient for schools as it can minimize paperwork. It’s also available anywhere in the classroom via the smartphone app. It can automatically check all elements of recommendations. 

When a case develops that need a report, ARS memorializes the incident on the spot. When you send the recommendation, you may use your computer portal to check how the offices replied. Staff will examine every referral for a kid, making it easier to roll up to a significant report. 

Check-In/Check-Out System

Check-In/Check-Out (CICO) system for students is another great feature. This system makes it easy for you to manage and check your students’ learning progress. You will know when a student in tier 2 has progressed and can return to tier 1. 

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Teacher Rewards

Teacher rewards are designed to motivate and recognize teachers’ achievements in the process. If the teacher meets the expectations set by the school, bonus points will be recorded and accumulated into the system. 

Besides, teacher reward points can be redeemed to buy the items they want at the Teacher Rewards store. 

SEL Check

SEL Check was created for teachers to track students’ emotional and psychophysiological development. Kids can also request the Student Self SEL Check option to check their emotional state. 

After collecting data from the system, staff will perform a validation and evaluation process. It can determine which students need intervention and support to develop positive emotions. 

Common Myth About PBIS

Gifts Are Only For Students Who Have Positive Behavior

Rewards are just a means to build and promote a positive learning-training environment. It helps to create a habit, a positive behavior for students not only in the school environment but also in the family and society. 

Besides, many people think that these are basic things that any child should know. Yet, it’s not always the case. Many children without proper care and upbringing will lack these basic social skills. 

That’s why they need schools that help them develop and establish behaviors. These are what they will carry with them throughout their lives. 

Image source: classcraft

PBIS Is Too Lenient

Some educators argue that the PBIS is too lenient with negative behaviors. It can create momentum for misconduct to develop in the future. But the scope of discipline in PBIS will not allow that to happen. 

If a student violates and has a negative attitude or behavior, they will be left behind. In other words, they will perceive themselves as inferior and unable to fit in with their friends. This thought will prompt them to change their own behavior to become more positive.

Besides, the PBIS model varies for different schools. Each one will develop appropriate matrices to deal with negative student behaviors. 

PBIS Is Only Temporary

Many educators argue that PBIS is inconsistent and will soon be replaced by another program. For example, if a teacher stops rewarding positive behavior, students will stop doing it. 

Yet, a positive behavior system has been established from the ground up. Thus, students can meet expectations throughout the school year. If students are negligent, their low scores will prompt them to adjust their behavior. 

Besides, PBIS is not merely an educational program but a framework based on long-term research. It is designed to train students’ manners in the school environment and in any situation throughout their life. 

Teachers Have More Responsibilities

Monitoring and evaluating student behavior can make many people think it is time-consuming. Yet, since the PBIS has already established expected behaviors from the start, scoring and evaluation take no time. 

The “reward store” is also considered expensive and unhelpful. Yet, it motivates students and teachers by exchanging rewards. This will raise their inspiration to improve themselves every day. 

FAQs

Can Student Badges Have Other Benefits Apart From Rewards?

Many schools have integrated student ID badges with their lunch and library systems. Thus, these badges are not only used to add up points but also replace students’ lunch and library cards under certain circumstances. 

Can Teachers Take Away Points From a Student?

PBIS Rewards is set up to add points to students and does not deduct or take away that score. 

After having the correct behavior with expectations, students will be added points. It helps to avoid disappointing students with a deduction and promotes the development of appropriate behaviors. 

Conclusion

What is PBIS in education? Overall, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS, focus on creating positive learning environments. It helps students improve their social skills and positive behavior while avoiding the use of punishment. 

Hope this article was useful to you. See you in the next posts. 

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