MTSS - Behavior Instruction & Intervention

Best Practices

Use research based strategies designed to promote and support appropriate behavior of all students
Teach students specific skills to behave appropriately
Positively acknowledge students engaging in those behaviors
Provide consistency and stability in interactions among students and staff/caregivers

Considerations

School districts should consider student specific Positive Behavior Support Plans (PBSPs) and how to best support them in the home
Teachers should consider their roles in student’s behavior plans and how they can support parents in assuming those roles

Step 1: Connect in meaningful ways with students and families.

Make it a goal to connect personally with every student - ask them to share something positive that is happening. Hearing a voice or seeing a face is powerful. Even a little bit of regular contact can go a long way!
Hold virtual spirit days.
Record your family doing a craft or home activity and share with your families.
Consider a teacher parade through neighborhood routes.
Schedule a daily virtual walk together.

Supporting Families Facing Challenges

National Assoc of School Psychologists COVID-19 Resource Center

PaTTAN Supports for Students

Step 2: Plan teacher-provided social emotional learning opportunities for students.

Step 3: Provide resources for parents:

A. For behavioral structure and routines

B. To practice self and family care

Myriad of resources exist! These can be split into small doses for parents and delivered to them through virtual meetings in addition to just sending links.

Step 4: Continue positive behavior intervention supports (PBIS) efforts at home.

How can we keep PBIS going during the Coronavirus shut-downs?

Expand school -wide expectations to include the virtual environments - perhaps create a slide for the start of every web session. Keep those school expectations front and center!
Talk with parents about how to apply the school expectations at home.
Provide parents guidance on how to recognize their child at home for following school-wide expectations.
Model for parents how to teach a set of very simple expectations at home. Workshop with parents a conversation of setting home expectations and posting them.
Create a sample home learning matrix using the schoolwide expectations - this could be very simple but very powerful. It may be useful as a fridge poster for families to reference regularly.
Provide a venue through which to report student positive behaviors with the school, even photos that you can share as shout-outs to the whole school community. Recognition can continue!

Responding to COVID-19 Through PBIS

Free Printable Behavior Charts

Practical Tips by Specific Behavioral Challenge

Managing Problem Behavior at Home