Frequently Asked Questions

What does PBIS stand for? 

“PBIS” is short for Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports. This language comes directly from the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). PBIS is used interchangeably with SWPBS, which is short for “School-wide Positive Behavioral Supports.” PBIS is based on principles of applied behavior analysis and the prevention approach and values of positive behavior support.

For more information read: 

“What is SWPBS?” “The Evolution of Discipline Practices: School-Wide Positive Behavioral Supports” (Sugai & Horner, 2002)
 

What is PBIS?

• PBIS is a framework or approach for assisting school personnel in adopting and organizing evidence-based behavioral interventions into an integrated continuum that enhances academic and social behavior outcomes for all students. 
• PBIS IS NOT a packaged curriculum, scripted intervention, or manualized strategy. 
• PBIS IS a prevention-oriented way for school personnel to (a) organize evidence- based practices, (b) improve their implementation of those practices, and (c) maximize academic and social behavior outcomes for students. 
• PBIS supports the success of ALL students. 

For more information read:

“What is SWPBS?” “The Evolution of Discipline Practices: School-Wide Positive Behavioral Supports” (Sugai & Horner, 2002) 

“Effective Behavior Support” (Lewis & Sugai, 1999) 

“Applying Positive Behavioral Support and Functional Behavioral Assessment in Schools” (Sugai et al., 2000) 
 

What does the OSEP Center on PBIS do?

The primary functions of the Center on PBIS are to study, organize, and disseminate empirically-supported behavioral practices and interventions within the prevention-oriented framework of PBIS systems. The Center mainly works with school, district, and state leadership teams to improve the social culture and behavioral climate of classrooms and schools. 

For more information go to: www.pbis.org

What are PBIS “systems?” 

PBIS emphasizes the establishment of organizational supports or systems that give school personnel capacity to use effective interventions accurately and successfully at the school, district, and state levels. 

These supports include (a) team-based leadership, (b) data-based decision- making, (c) continuous monitoring of student behavior, (d) regular universal screening, and (e) effective on-going professional development. 

For more information read:

“SWPBS Implementation Blueprint and Self- Assessment” (PBIS Center, 2010) 

“SWPBS Professional Development Blueprint and workbooks” (PBIS Center, 2010) 

“SWPBS Evaluation Blueprint” (PBIS Center, 2010) 

“Evidence-based Practices in Classroom Management: Considerations for Research to Practice” (Simonsen et al., 2008)
 

What does PBIS have to do with school discipline and classroom management? 

Effective classroom management and preventive school discipline are essential for supporting teaching and learning. 

PBIS goes further by emphasizing that classroom management and preventive school discipline must be integrated and working together with effective academic instruction in a positive and safe school climate to maximize success for all students. 

For more information read:

“SWPBS Implementation Blueprint and Self- Assessment” (PBIS Center, 2010) 

“SWPBS Professional Development Blueprint and workbooks” (PBIS Center, 2010) 

“SWPBS Evaluation Blueprint” (PBIS Center, 2010) 

“Evidence-based Practices in Classroom Management: Considerations for Research to Practice” (Simonsen et al., 2008)
 

Where is the best place for schools to access PBIS materials and information?

The Center is a great source for learning and obtaining information about PBIS, in particular, defining what PBIS is, what it looks like, how it can be established, what outcomes are possible, etc. However, other sources (e.g., consultants, publishers, universities, trainers) not formally associated with the Center also provide PBIS resources to schools. 

For more information go to: www.pbis.org
 

How does the Center include and involve family and community members? 

The voices and perspectives of family and community members are involved directly in the PBIS process through active participation on, for example, leadership teams, practice implementation, and outcome evaluations at the school, district, and state levels. 

Most students will succeed when a positive school culture is promoted, informative corrective feedback is provided, academic success is maximized, and use of prosocial skills is acknowledged. 

When student problem behavior is unresponsive to preventive school-wide and classroom-wide procedures, information about the student’s behavior is used to (a) understand why the problem behavior is occurring (function); (b) strengthen more acceptable alternative behaviors (social skills); (c) remove antecedents and consequences that trigger and maintain problem behavior, respectively; and (d) add antecedents and consequences that trigger and maintain acceptable alternative behaviors. 

For more information read: 

“Applying Positive Behavioral Support and Functional Behavioral Assessment in Schools” (Sugai et al., 2000) 

How does a school get training in PBIS? 

An extensive PBIS network exists in connection with the National Center on PBIS. Information about local and state PBIS Coordinators and PBIS Center Partners can be found by going to “PBIS Network” at “Links” on the homepage of www.pbis.org. 

Regardless of information or training source, general guidelines for the selection of a PBIS trainer and professional development training are summarized in the “SWPBS Professional Development Blueprint.” 

To ensure a successful training experience, schools, districts, and states are encouraged to (a) use an existing or establish a new behavior leadership team, 

(b) examine their school data to define and specify the need, (c) secure an agreement from school staff (>80%) to move forward with PBIS, (d) confirm support and participation by school and district leadership, and (e) identify a person on the team who will facilitate or coach the implementation process. 
 

For more information, read:

www.pbis.org 

“SWPBS Implementation Blueprint and Self- Assessment” (PBIS Center, 2010) 

“SWPBS Professional Development Blueprint and Workbooks” (PBIS Center, 2010)

“SWPBS Evaluation Blueprint” (PBIS Center, 2010) 

“Evidence-based Practices in Classroom Management: Considerations for Research to Practice” (Simonsen et al., 2008)