What Is PBIS?

Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) is a schoolwide approach to make schools safe and promote positive behavior.
There are a few important principles:

• Every child can learn proper behavior and it should be taught explicitly.
• Children should be rewarded for proper behavior, instead of solely punished for negative behaviors.
• Stepping in early can prevent more serious behavior problems.
• Following a child’s behavioral progress is important.
• Schools must gather and use data to make decisions about behavior problems.

Keep in mind that PBIS is not a treatment or therapy. It’s more like a framework for teachers, administrators and parents.

With PBIS, teachers look for minor issues and prevent them from becoming bigger behavior problems. Before a spitball is thrown, a teacher might notice the student who is craving attention. They might address that need positively before it grows into a need to throw a spitball.

If a student acts out, the school creates a strategy to prevent the behavior from happening again. The strategy might include things like a break time to cool off or a peer mentor. The school may even provide training for parents.

Horace Mann students learn to be responsible at home and at school. Our school expectations are taught by all staff and our guidance counselor supports these expectations through her lessons. All of our Above-the-Line behaviors fit within our overarching set of behavior expectations.