.:: PBIS at Naugatuck HS ::.

     When reviewing the eight features of PBIS, it is pretty clear that Naugatuck High School does not implement the process. Having said that, there are classrooms that seem to informally address some of the core features of PBIS, but not officially. For example, I have observed classrooms in which behavioral expectations are taught like social skills and academic performance is maximized. However, this is not part of a designed PBIS program nor is it a school-wide implementation. Furthermore, in regards to the secondary tier of prevention, for instance, I have never seen a "check in-check out" performed at the school. 

     The heart of PBIS is that it is a prevention program. The process is to implement strategies in the school in order to improve student behaviors. The extent of prevention here at Naugatuck seems to be along the lines of "don't do this because it's bad and you will get in trouble." This approach is hardly research based, nor does it establish a continuum of behavioral support. If in fact Naugatuck does implement PBIS, they do a terrific job of hiding it.

.:: PBIS at Nonneqaug HS ::.

     I must admit that while interning last semester at Nonnewaug high school, I never heard the acronym PBIS mentioned. In fact, it was only while attending grad school that I was introduced to the concept of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

     This, however, does not mean that the PBIS structure was not implemented at Nonnewaug. Looking at the foundations of PBIS, it becomes clear to me that at least some elements were incorporated at the high school on a fairly regular basis.

     For instance, data was gathered on all troublesome and potentially troublesome students. After the data was analyzed by both parents and school officials, strategies were put in place to help improve the behavior of the individual students in question.

     Also worth noting is the fact that teachers and school officials instructed and directed these students in behaviors that were appropriate, observed these students carefully and tried to adapt to changing or unpredictable situations by altering the strategies which were in place when necessary. I did not, however, notice the enactment of other “principles” which make PBIS effective. This is not to say such “principles” were not implemented at all, but, rather to say such implementations may have gone unnoticed.

     For instance, I noticed no change in environment for behaviorally challenged students while I was at Nonnewaug other than the breaking up a large class of such students into two smaller classes. I was also unable to consciously observe any “evidence based behavioral practices.” That being said, I was also unaware of what “behavioral practices” may have been available to the school at the time.

     Ultimately, I would have to take a closer look at Nonnewaug high school's dealing with behaviorally challenged students in order to make an accurate and fair assessment of the school in regards to PBIS. The fact that I am no longer an intern at the school now means I am unable, however, to make such a first person observation. When it comes to Nonnewaug high school, memory will have to serve as the best critic.

.:: PBIS at NEMS ::.

Put together by Jen Radaskie
Here are some of the PBIS supports we have in place at North End Middle School:


For Students:

• Super Student Tickets:  Students can earn a ticket for following the RAMS Rule (Respect, Attitude, Motivation, and Success) or for doing other various "good deeds" like helping another student or a teacher.  One half of the ticket is given to the House Principal and one half goes on a board in the display cabinet.  When the board is filled, the tickets stubs go into a raffle for a prize (normally a North End T-shirt).  Tickets can be given out by teachers, principals, and other building staff.
• Dance Party:  Any student who has not been written up in the second marking period would be allowed to go to a dance party during the U.A. periods.  Other activities that take place are button making, pizza, and face painting.
• Rock Cats game:  Any student who has not been written up or received any office referrals for the third marking period will be allowed to attend a Rock Cats game.
• Lake Compounce Field Trip:  Any students who has not been written up or received an office referral for the fourth marking period will be permitted to go to Lake Compounce in June.

For Teachers:

• Super Staff Tickets:  Both students and staff at NEMS can award a teacher with a Super Staff ticket, whether it is for helping a students with something they are having a hard time with or because they have been very involved with a specific activity.  Just like the student tickets, one half goes to the teacher and one goes to the office.  At the end of each week, a name is drawn from the barrel in the main office.  The teacher who is picked receives a trophy for the week, a parking space in the front of the building, and a spot in the NEMS school newsletter.

.:: PBIS Research Points ::.

Covered by: Julianne Rowland

What does research say about the effectiveness of PBS/PBIS?

• Research conducted over the past 15 years has shown that PBS is effective in promoting positive behavior in students and schools.  Use of PBS as a strategy to maintain appropriate social behavior will make schools safer.  Safer schools are more effective learning environments.
• Schools that implement system-wide interventions also report increased time engaged in academic activities and improved academic performance.
• Schools that employ system-wide interventions for problem behavior prevention indicate reductions in office discipline referrals of 20-60%.
• Appropriately implemented PBS can lead to dramatic improvements that have long-term effects on the lifestyle, functional communication skills, and problem behavior in individuals with disabilities.
• A review of research on PBS effectiveness showed that there was over a 90% reduction in problem behavior in over half of the studies; the problem behavior stopped completely in over 26% of the studies. 

.:: Tertiary Prevention Pt. 2::.

Covering Tertiary Prevention Pt. 2: Molly Palmer

PBIS, Special Education, and The Law

• PBIS often used at the Tertiary level for students receiving special education services
• PBIS is the only behavioral approach specifically mentioned as an intervention in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• One of the primary reasons Congress included PBIS in the law was to address the “historic exclusion of individuals with disabilities based on unaddressed behavior”
• Felt students were being excluded from educational opportunities because of behavior issues
• In both the 1997 and 2004 versions of the law, it states:

(5) Almost 30 years of research and experience has demonstrated that the education of children with disabilities can be made more effective by—

(F) providing incentives for whole-school approaches, scientifically based early reading programs, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and early intervening services to reduce the need to label children as disabled in order to address the learning and behavioral needs of such children.

• IDEA requires that an IEP team:
• Considers the use of PBIS for students whose behavior impedes on their learning or the learning of others
• Provides a functional behavioral assessment when a student has no behavior plan but is removed from school for more than ten days (such as a suspension) for a behavior that is a result of a disability
• Provides a functional behavioral assessment to address any behavior that results in a long-term removal
• IDEA also authorizes states to use professional development funds and created its own competitive grant funds for training in PBIS

Example of a Tertiary Approach Used in Special Education - Wraparound

• Special Education students can receive a range of different types of interventions depending on their individual situation
• One particularly intensive example at the tertiary level is the Wraparound method, a program rooted in the theories of Urie Bronfenbrenner
• Considered unique because it consists of a team designed by the student and the family
• It is composed of families, schools, and community partners which design plans to address emotional, cultural, educational, social needs as well as the living environment, basic needs, and safety of the students
• It is unconditional – the student does not fit into a pre-made plan, rather the plan is molded around the student and changes according to their needs
• Designed to follow a continuum where the student can climb their way through interventions until they only participate in school-wide behavioral supports

.:: Tertiary Prevention Pt. 1 ::.

Covering Tertiary Prevention-Part 1 is Sean Crose:


At its essence, Tertiary Prevention focuses on those students who show problem behavior.  These students may not have a traditional "diagnostic label" such as behavioral or learning disabilities, but nonetheless engage in actions which are inappropriate for the classroom.


Two distinct types of Tertiary Prevention systems appear to be the most effective.  The first system, known as the primary system, focuses on behavioral issues in a more narrow classroom setting.


Overall, what separates Tertiary Prevention from other behavioral prevention programs is the element of intervention.  In other words, Tertiary Prevention is completely reliant on a positive, hands on approach.


For Tertiary Prevention to be effective, the student, along with educators and family members, should all become part of a BST, or Behavioral Support Team.  Such teams are constructed around each individual student so that specific needs will be met and positive steps will be taken.  The point here is to lower the level of disruptive or harmful actions on the part of the student while leading the student to make strides in his/her scholastic and personal life.


In order for all of this to work, an FBA, or Functional Behavioral Assessment will be provided and a support plan created.  This support plan will include methods for creating improved behavior and the necessary directives for such improved behavior to be brought about.


The support plan will also have steps for "monitoring, evaluating, and reassessing" the student's actions.  This way, the effectiveness of the implemented plan may be properly gauged and fluidity achieved if specific alterations to the plan must be made.


The plan may include a change in the environment of the student in question so that unacceptable behavior will be prevented and positive behavioral changes can be more easily enacted.  On top of this, an emergency strategy may be put in place in case the student exhibits outburst which may prove dangerous to his or herself or to others.


One of the joys of Tertiary Prevention is that positive results are so easy to notice.  When Tertiary Prevention works, the results are obvious and visibly rewarding.

.:: Secondary Interventions ::.

Covering this section: Rick Casagrande


The second tier of PBIS is the fifteen percent of students who fall into the group of "Systems for Students with At-Risk Behavior." This is also known as the "targeted group." While the primary prevention tier deals with school/class-wide systems for all students, the secondary group targets students with potential for at-risk behavior.


The group of interventions in this tier were initially implemented as primary interventions.


Major features:

1. Linked directly to school-wide expectations and academic goals
2. Continuous availability
3. Implemented within three school days of determination to conduct intervention
4. Can be modified based on assessment and outcome data
5. Prompts of 'what to do' in relevant situations
6. Results in student receiving positive feedback from staff
7. Includes a school to home report system that occurs at least once a week
8. Orientation provides initiation information to start the intervention
9. Orientation materials provide staff (including substitutes and volunteers) information regarding the intervention
10. Daily opportunities to practice new skills

Example 1 (not designed for individual students): Check in-Check out (CICO)
-One adult checks in and out with several students
-Each get the same intervention and treatment
-Same check in-check out time
-Same school-wide behavioral expectations set as goals
-Same number of opportunities for behavioral feedback
-Same DPR (daily progress report)


Example 2 (individualized) Check in-Check Out (CICO)
-Change location, person, time
-Individualize expectations beyond regular school expectations
-Include descriptors beneath expectations
-collect data using DPR
Further Suggestions:

• add a "check in," if needed, before a time where potential for at-risk behavior increases (lunch, gym, etc.)
• allow a friend to accompany the student when checking-in and checking-out
• check in at locker in the morning

.:: Universal/Primary Interventions ::.

Covered by: Jen Radaskie


We have provided a sample list of behaviors and a sample list of interventions which would be universal for all schools:

Minor Behaviors                              Possible Interventions

* Disrespect                                       * Counsel and Verbal Reprimand

* Disruption and Misconduct            * Parent Contact

* Cheating                                         * Detention (24hr notice required)

* Profanity (not directed to others)    * Special Work Assignment

* Tardiness (1-3 per 9 weeks)           * Withdrawal of Privillages

* Dress Code                                     * Behavior Contract

* Other                                              * Guidance Referral

MajorBehaviors                              Possible Interventions

* Disrespect                                      * Office Referral (mandatory)

* Open Defiance                              * Parent Contact (mandatory)

*Threats/Bullying                             * In School Suspension

* Destruction of Property                 * Out of School Suspension

* Stealing (over $10)                        * Restitution

* Alcohol/Drugs                               * Alternative Program/School

* Weapons                                       * Expulsion

* Sexual Offenses                            * Other

Keep in mind that these are just some possible interventions that might be put into effect.  There are, for some of these behaviors, more than one way to intervene.  For example, destruction to school property, such as graffitiing the bathroom,  could be handled by giving the student(s) guilty of destruction three days of "in-house" and making them pay X amount of money for the amount of hours it takes to clean and return to normal.

Here are some additional behavioral problems that would fall under the universal category and which would receive a Tier 1 intervention:  Horseplay, Lying, Electronic Devices, Throwing Objects, Forgery, Misuse of Computer, Theft (pencils, candy, food, minor classroom materials, etc)

Thank you to the PBIS Team at North End Middle School for putting together the information packet on PBIS.

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Everything above this line was all behaviors that would require interventions, but PBIS is all about the supports we use to encourage the good behavior.  So, here are some sample good behaviors and some supports you might use to reward these behaviors:

Behavior                              Reward

* Helping Other Students     * Super Student/Wompoms/Leafs of Character, etc.

* Helping Teachers              * No Homework Pass

* Cleaning spilt food/drink   * Speed Pass (1st in line for lunch, no waiting)

* Improving on Quiz/Test    * Good Note Home/+ Referral/+ Phone Call Home)

* Bringing In Material 

Related to Lesson                 *BUG award (Bring Up Grade award)/Extra Credit

* See Something/Say 

Something                            *Certificate of Recognition

* No Disciplinary Referrals  * Field Day/Fun Day/Rock Cats Game/Sports Event

Just as we award our students for positive behaviors, it is always nice to have a reward system in place for positive actions for teachers positive attitudes and services to the school and its students.  Something as simple as awarding a teacher a good parking space for a week, making them a certificate, giving them a trophy, or mentioning them in the monthly school newsletter/paper would be a sufficant gesture.

.:: 8 Features of PBIS ::.

1. It is a proactive systems approach to school-wide discipline designed to be responsive to current social and educational challenges.
2. It is based on three levels of prevention (a) primary (b) secondary, and (c) tertiary.
3. It is not a curriculum, discipline package, or product,...but a process for individualized and sustained decision making, planning, and problem solving.
4. It has an instructional focus where emphasis is placed on:
1. Teaching behavioral expectations directly
2. Teaching social behaviors like academic skills.
3. Maximizing academic engagement and success.
4. Considering the influence of instructional support.
5. It is based on empirically sound practices and applications in schools.  Research that is trustworthy, accessible, and usable.
6. It uses data to guide intervention and management decisions.
7. It increases the contextual fit between the problem context and what we know works.
8. It establishes a continuum of behavioral support.

.:: PBIS: A Mini-Introduction ::.

PBIS, or Positive Behavior Intervention Supports, is in it's simpilest form various strategies which have been implemented into the school setting to improve the behaviors the students exhibit.  PBIS also aims to be a preventative program.  In some districts, PBIS is also known as PBS or SWPBS (School Wide Positive Behavior Supports).

The chart above provides a breakdown as to how the PBIS system works.  Approximately 80-90% of the students will fall into the bottom teir, 5-10% will fall into the middle teir, and only 1-5% of students will make up the upper teir.  In the posts that follow, we will break it down further.

We have included this video to give you an introduction to PBIS.