PBIS - Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

Introduction

During the 2005-2006 school year, a committee of middle school teachers and administrators examined school data and evaluated promising practices that enhance school climate. The committee work led to a collaborative relationship with the University of Connecticut (UCONN) and the State Education Resource Center (SERC). As a result, the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) process was designed to meet the needs of our middle school students and support the board of education's goal to create "a safe, caring learning environment that promotes the academic growth, health, and emotional well-being of each student."

What is PBIS?

Positive Behavioral Support is a research based system of support used in schools in approximately 40 states. PBIS began in the 1980s as a support for special education students by professors at the University of Oregon. A decade later, PBIS was expanded to all students school-wide. New Hampshire, New York, Maryland, Florida and Illinois have incorporated PBIS at the state level implementing the process district-wide. Many schools in Connecticut use PBS and are members of the UCONN / SERC collaborative. At the Middle School of Plainville (MSP), PBIS is a school-wide process of support that includes proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create a positive school climate.

Additional information on PBIS is available at http://www.pbis.org/


How has PBIS been implemented at MSP?

The middle school has developed school-wide expectations which are taught to all students. Students are encouraged to meet these expectations through positive reminders during televised morning announcements, raffles and rewards, items sold at our school store and attendance at school activities.

What are MSP’s school-wide expectations?

MSP's school-wide expectations are "Respect & Responsibility." MSP faculty, staff, administrators and students value respect and responsibility. Throughout MSP, information is displayed stating our school-wide expectations for all locations of our building and on school buses.  

How are students made aware of our school expectations?

Classroom lessons are taught three times a year. Expectations are also discussed with students during back to school, grade level, team assemblies and are featured during televised morning announcements throughout the school year.


How are students positively reinforced for meeting school-wide expectations?

Students are positively reinforced through a variety of opportunities including:

  • MSP Express to Success Tickets: Tickets are given to students by faculty, staff, administrators, bus drivers and custodians who observe respectful and responsible behaviors. Tickets are entered in our weekly raffles and also used to purchase items at the school store.
  • School Store: Students may purchase a variety of items from the school store using MSP Express to Success Tickets they have earned and accumulated.

How are infractions of our school-wide expectations dealt with?

As part of the PBIS process, a committee of teachers and administrators first identified infractions as Level 1, 2, or 3 behaviors:

  • Level 1 infractions are those behaviors which can usually be dealt with at the classroom or team level.
  • Level 2 infractions are level 1 infractions that are not corrected by the student and reoccur during the marking period despite several attempts to correct the behavior. Level 2 infractions are also behaviors that exceed classroom or team level correction.
  • Level 3 infractions are behaviors so severe they require immediate administrative attention.

Administrators, faculty and staff address infractions and determine appropriate consequences based on the infraction level.


What data supports PBIS at the middle school?

Click here (PDF) to view recent data in support of this program. The data encompasses the last ten years and shows the positive impact of PBIS at MSP.

PBIS in the news:

For further information on the PBIS program, please contact Tom Laudadio, Dean of Students, at [email protected]