.:: 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.