PBIS stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. The goal is to clearly communicate and reinforce positive behaviors in order to reduce less desirable behaviors in all students. Research has shown that implementation of PBIS schoolwide increases positive outcomes for students and staff while reducing referrals, suspensions and removals from class. 

PBIS falls under the umbrella of MTSS (Multi-tiered systems of support) and is typically divided similarly into Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports. Tier 1 strives to meet the needs of all students and is generally what we see implemented schoolwide as PBIS initiatives. Tier 2 and 3 interventions strive to support students who need more focused supports and interventions.

If you would like to visit some outside source of information on PBIS, use the links below.

• Center on PBIS 

• PBIS Rewards

If you would like to see some of the research supporting the implementation of PBIS schoolwide, use this link to read the research:

Examining the Evidence Base for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support

Put simply, PBIS is supported by the good classroom management strategies we've been using as educators for years. Strategies that build relationships, engagement and social-emotional development are all part of a well balanced classroom management plan and a PBIS classroom.

While many strategies can be utilized, there are 4 key pillars of PBIS. 

1. Establish expectations- This is done schoolwide through the ROAR Expectations but can also be done in the classroom using Social Contracts. 

Tip: keep the expectations positive (skip the "don'ts"), use "Arrive on time to class" instead of "Don't be late", "Put cellphones away by the start of class" instead of "Don't have your phones out", "Respect others' personal space and property" instead of "Don't touch others or their belongings"

2. Explicitly teach expectations- Conversations should happen schoolwide through expectation assemblies, in individual classes and when reinforcing behaviors. Students need to learn the expectations just like they learn our regular class content. Students come to us with various background experiences. Our goal is to make sure everyone has the same knowledge of how we expect them to behave.

3. Reinforce expectations- Provide specific, direct, positive feedback to students. This will allow off-track students time to hear the expectations and correct their behavior without us having to use classroom discipline options. Use the 5:1 Ratio of positive feedback to on-track students to 1 corrective response to off-track students . This helps build positive relationships while preventing disciplinary actions. Incorporating this with rewarding students through PBIS Rewards increases the power of the positive feedback. 

Tip: positive feedback should be timely, specific for students and reference expectations, ex: "Thank you John Doe for being responsible and starting your assignment when asked." "Sam, thank you for being ready to start class by putting your headphones away."

4. Correct Behavioral Errors- Consistently apply the consequences you establish in your classroom and those in the Minor/Major Behavior Matrix. Conference with students about minor behaviors, contact home and record minor referrals in the PBIS Rewards system. 4 minor referrals will result in a notification for admin intervention. Major referrals can be entered on the same site to get immediate administrative interventions to address the behavioral concerns.

While these pillars are the goals for supporting our students, it is up to you to establish the practices that work best for you. Good classroom management should include features of all 4 of the pillars of PBIS, but what it looks like in your class is personal.

More resources, information and tools can be found on the Resources & FAQs Pages of this site (top right) as well as on the Center on PBIS.

All referrals should be submitted using PBIS Rewards. If you need quick access to the steps for issuing a referral, check the slides here. Here is a video tutorial on how to create a referral. If you need help converting 4 minor referrals to a major referral, use this page.

For more tutorials and information on how referrals are being handled at Carter, please check the Referrals FAQS Page. 

If you cannot find your question, please leave a comment on the page and we will try to answer your question as soon as possible.