Unified and Equitable School Structure: 7 Steps to Implement PBIS Via Schoolwide Values
The goal of Positive Behavior Support is not “perfect children.” Rather the goal should be creating the perfect environment for enhancing their growth.
– Randy Sprick
INTRO
Some schools are embracing a comprehensive system based on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Implementing PBIS throughout your campus may be an opportunity to also meet a systematic need to have common language and expectations for students and staff, both in school and the greater community.
OBJECTIVES
- Create a set of schoolwide standards with the input from all your stakeholder groups.
Guiding Question
How have the shared values and beliefs of both internal and external stakeholders informed the shared expectations for the school community?
STEP 1. Create a Representative School Leadership Team
This team will work with staff, students, and administrators tasked with developing a system of support, implementation, and sustainability, with the ultimate goal of creating a positive school climate and effective learning environment.
STEP 2. Gather Feedback From Stakeholders
Facilitate listening opportunities with your stakeholders (students, staff, families, and the greater community), with the goal of identifying their common values and beliefs.
STEP 3. Develop an Awareness Campaign
Based on the overarching themes that emerge from the information gathered from stakeholders, develop an awareness campaign identifying the attributes of your community. Once these schoolwide values are established, use them to guide the creation of the PBIS schoolwide.
STEP 4. Align Classroom Expectations
Consider creating classroom expectations specific to academic subjects, or career academies (if applicable) that align with the PBIS schoolwide vision. Have each classroom teacher gather feedback from students on a Google document to find out which expectations are the most in line with their values.
Then create a survey to give to the Student Advisory Group (a student group that is truly representative of the student body). From this work, the schoolwide expectations will emerge.
STEP 5. Reinforce Student Ownership
We suggest the students put together an assembly at the beginning of the year to communicate the expectations to their peers, or something similar.
STEP 6. Staff Reinforce Expectations
Instructors should teach the expectations in their classrooms at the start of each semester. In addition to the schoolwide expectations matrix, consider having representatives from the PBIS, counseling, and administrative teams, along with other teachers, create a multi-tiered integrated support system that offers both academic and social-emotional support.
This system gives everyone an opportunity to see the gaps in the system, so that they can be more strategic when implementing resources as they move forward.
STEP 7. Develop a Data Management System
Identify a system that allows you to monitor progress in both academics and behavior. This system will help you to make informed decisions on how to better serve students while informing best practices around instruction.
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