You are most likely reading this blog post because positive
behavior support and intervention at school is important to you. What does this research and evidence based
framework PBIS look like in a school setting? Some schools are using specific programs
or curriculum. How do I know that a
school is implementing the essential elements derived from the PBIS research?
Has the school created 3-5 clear school-wide
expectations? For example, some of
Wenatchee schools that have been through the PBIS training are using RSD - show
Respect, Solve problems, make good Decisions. Other schools across the country have established expectations with similar themes; for example Be safe, Be responsible, Be respectful. Can your child name his or her school's expectations?
Are these expectations taught to the students in the
classroom or other areas of the school? Ask your child for an example of
demonstrating or modeling one of the expectations. For example, what does make
good Decisions look like in the cafeteria or the hallway? How do you show Respect during class time?
What does Be safe mean on the playground?
Is there a process for acknowledging and encouraging (reinforcing)
positive behavior? Does your child know when they are meeting expectations?
Is there a process for discouraging or correcting inappropriate
behavior? Does the school have supports and intervention in place to help
students be successful in behavior? Is there an approach to look at the
function of behavior? For example, why
is the student demonstrating inappropriate behavior?
Are the school administrators and teachers collecting,
monitoring, and evaluating data regarding behavior incidents or referrals in
their school? Is this data being used to
make decisions for continuous improvement and growth in the school, classroom, and
students?
If a child doesn’t know how to read, we
teach.
If a child doesn’t know how to swim, we
teach.
If a child doesn’t know how to multiply, we
teach.
If a child doesn’t know how to behave, we…
Preventing and Correcting Misbehavior
focuses on how to help children learn to behave through teaching rather than
through punishment.
John Herner, NASDSE President (Counterpoint
1998, p.2)