Has it been a while since you were trained or began implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)? Or are you curious about PBIS and how to implement multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS)? January is a good time to get back to the fundamentals or to start planning for training so that you're ready to go this summer or fall.
PBIS is a proactive, preventive framework with 3 tiers of support: Tier I, or universal (supporting everyone in all areas of the school); Tier II, or secondary (supporting small groups of students with similar needs); and Tier III, or tertiary (supporting individual students who need intensive support). Before implementing PBIS or other MTSS, schools often do not have a curriculum or supports in place to support student behavior at Tier I. This is where the implementation process begins, and becomes the foundation for developing the other tiers.
The major components that form the foundation for PBIS/MTSS are:
- A leadership team driving the implementation process
- Identifying and defining about 3 - 5 overarching behavior expectations
- Directly teaching behavior expectations to all students, in context
- Acknowledging students for following the expected behaviors
- Developing consistent, appropriate responses to problem behaviors
- Using data to drive the implementation process and continuously improve
By implementing these components with fidelity, schools can reduce the number of problem behaviors and identify students that truly need more support. Because this is a framework, schools are able to customize components to fit their specific needs.
Once Tier I is implemented with fidelity, schools can start building system components to support Tiers II and III. Systems at these levels include identifying students who need additional support, determining the appropriate supports based on function or need, identifying data tools to monitor progress, and providing ongoing professional development and support to staff.
The national PBIS Center, through PBISApps, has many evaluation tools to help schools through the implementation process and ongoing continuous improvement. Wherever you are in the process - from the exploration stage to full implementation, feel free to contact us if you're interested in training, coaching or technical assistance (we can travel to you, or you can travel to A-State). Contact information is at the end of the newsletter.
