The goal of Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS), also called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), is to help create and maintain a safe and supportive learning environment, promote positive social skills, and reduce negative behaviors so that all children can succeed in school. PBS focuses on both individual behavior and environmental factors and has proven more effective than punitive discipline strategies, such as suspension and expulsion. PBS programs can address issues such as bullying prevention, social skills development, resiliency building, and discipline strategies.
What Is PBS?
PBS focuses on creating and sustaining school-wide (primary), classroom (secondary), and individual (tertiary) supports that make problem behavior less effective, efficient, and relevant, and desired behavior more functional. Behavior is addressed under a school-wide approach, meaning that all components of a school system, including physical locations (e.g., classroom, cafeteria, gym, playground) and staff (e.g., teachers, administrators, support staff) are involved in the prevention efforts.
Components
• PBS develops a set of core behavioral expectations for all students in the school. Those expectations are taught across all areas of the school.
• Positive reinforcement is provided for compliance with the expectations.
• There is a hierarchy of consequences as corrective procedures.
• PBS also collects data on the use of established procedures and the impact of those procedures on behavior.
Behavior Expectations
Lower Campus: Upper Campus:
1. Be Respectful 1. Be Respectful
2. Be Responsible 2. Be Responsible
3. Be Safe 3. Be Safe
4. Be Your Best 4. Be Ready to Learn
Social Skills Curricula and Bully Prevention:
Grades K-6: Second Step
A Role for Parents
• Help teach your children the importance of school-wide expectations at home, at school, and in the community.
• Support PBS with teaching and reinforcement of expectations in home and community settings.
• Help obtain community resources (earn funds, canvas local merchants for participation) for creating and maintaining the program.
• Take part in the instruction and reinforcement systems if our child is part of a classroom or individual intervention program.
• Celebrate your child’s successes.
Source: C.C. Dee and J. Boyle (2006). NASP Communiqué, Vol. 35, #2. Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS): Tips for Parents and Educators.
Please contact School Psychologist Julie Hirsch for more information: 668-3318 or julie.hirsch@mpls.k12.mn.us