PBIS
at Kenowa Hills

Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports

Multi-Tiered System of Supports

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is an umbrella framework that includes Response to Intervention (RTI) and Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS). MTSS is a “process of systematically documenting the performance of students as evidence of the need for additional services after making changes in classroom behavioral instruction.”

The MTSS process is implemented through three components with Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) being the center and the core of the behavior programming. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and Restorative practices are integrated along with PBIS.

Social and Emotional Learning

Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

PBIS

What is PBIS?
School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) is a proactive, team-based framework for creating and sustaining safe and effective schools. The focus of PBIS is to prevent problem behavior, develop pro-social skills, and use data-based problem solving for addressing existing behavior concerns. School-wide PBIS will help schools educate all students with the use of research-based, school-wide classroom, and individualized interventions. (MDE Guide, p. vii)

School-wide PBIS provides a comprehensive framework that can be used by any school to design their own system of behavioral supports for all students. It also provides informed decision making, based upon data analysis that guides the process of assessing student needs and providing additional levels of behavioral support to students in need. School-wide PBIS provides a positive focus to encouraging desirable student behaviors. A set of universal expectations for behavior, positively stated, are established for all students in all locations of the school. These expectations generally promote core values such as respect, responsibility, and safety. Interventions and strategies are implemented to teach and reinforce these expectations. (MDE Guide, p. 2)

What needs can PBIS address?
Implementing PBIS will increase time for instruction and decrease disciplinary incidents. PBIS addresses the behavioral needs of all students with proven, easy to implement strategies and helps to create a positive school climate.

What are the goals and primary student outcomes of PBIS?
PBIS is a skill-building approach that will strengthen social skills for any student. Positive interventions such as PBIS that support adaptive and pro-social behavior and build on the strengths of the student lead to an improved learning environment. Students are offered methods that help them learn and maintain appropriate behavior and discourage violation of codes of student conduct.

Effective secondary interventions produce measurable changes in behavior and improvements in a student's quality of life (e.g., participation in integrated activities, improved social relationships, independence and self-sufficiency).

Restorative Practices

1. Acknowledges that relationships are central to building community.
2. Ensures equity of voice among all members of the community.
3. Establishes a culture of high expectations with high support, emphasizing doing things “WITH” not “TO” or “FOR.”
4. Builds systems that address misbehavior and harm in a way that strengthens relationships and focuses on the harm done rather than only rule-breaking.
5. Engages in collaborative problem solving.
6. Enhances accountability, responsibility and empowers change and growth for all members of the community.

Material adapted from Amstutz, L., & Mullet, J., (2005), pg 29-32.The Little Book of Restorative Discipline, pg 26-28 Wachtel & Costello (2009), The Restorative Practices Handbook, International Institute for Restorative Practices, pg 50

If you have any questions about Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports at Kenowa Hills Public Schools, please contact:

Brooke Davis
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Mental Health Services
btdavis@khps.org