What is Trauma-Informed Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports?
PBIS is a broad range of systemic and individualized strategies for teaching children important social and emotional skills while preventing problem behavior (Positive Behavioral Intervention & Supports (PBIS), 2008). PBIS is a three tiered continuum of supports including universal strategies for all students, targeted strategies for those students who need additional support, and individualized strategies for students who need even more intensive support.
PBIS is not a canned curriculum, but rather a process in which individual schools identify expected behaviors for all students, staff, and families that fit the unique needs of their setting. These expectations are explicitly taught to all students through effective instruction. Research-based practices are used to encourage expected behaviors and to create a system for responding consistently to problem behaviors. Data collection systems are developed and used in order to make decisions about school-wide improvements and individual student needs. Individualized strategies fit within the larger system and are not isolated behavioral management plans. Implementing these components helps schools establish a climate where appropriate student behavior becomes the norm.
Why is PBIS Important?
Every community wants the best for their children. PBIS has been proven successful in creating positive school climates and improving student outcomes. When PBIS is implemented effectively, schools see major decreases in problem behaviors, office discipline referrals, the amount of time administrators spend on discipline issues, and the number of students referred to special education (Lewis, 2008 & PBIS, 2009). In addition, schools see an increase in the perception that the school is a safe place to be, an increase in instructional time, and an increase in student achievement (Lewis, 2008 & PBIS, 2009).
The Montana Behavioral Initiative and Montana Safe Schools Center
MSSC is a stakeholder in the Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI) which is part of the Montana Office of Public Instruction. MBI is anchored in Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports. We serve as MBI consultants, council members, summer institute planning team members, and early childhood planning team members.
The mission of MBI is to assist educators, parents, and other community members in developing the attitudes, skills, and systems necessary to ensure that each student, regardless of ability or disability, leaves public education and enters the community with social and academic competence.
TI-PBIS Links and Resources
- The Montana Behavioral Initiative
- Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention
- Center on Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
- OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
- Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
- MODEL: Managing On-site Discipline for Effective Learning
- Institute on Violence and Destructive Behavior
- Safe and Civil Schools
- Committee for Children
- Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.