Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) aims to strengthen our practices and implement strategies to equitably support prosocial behavior, high quality learning experiences and social emotional development.

Compass to 2025 Strategic Framework supports our objective of preparing all students to be college and career ready. Our graduate profile identifies the attributes we believe are critical for ensuring students are future ready. The graduate profile is intended to inspire, motivate, and guide the work of students, teachers, schools, and the division. PBIS school teams work with staff to provide supports that reinforce college and career readiness skills.

PBIS provides schools a data informed decision making process which can guide the purposeful integration of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices.

Both PBIS and SEL involve:

• Proactive approaches centered on teaching and reinforcing prosocial skills
• Linking social emotional development with academic and life success
• Teachers as primary change agents for student development
• Student voice and family engagement

The PBIS multi-tiered framework provides academic, behavioral and social emotional support within the school environment. Building support for all students and staff is the core of the process that applies in all settings.

 
Universal supports for all students include clearly defined expectations with a set of explicit positively stated behaviors in each setting. Students and staff are taught these behavioral expectations.

 
Small group interventions for students who need more than universal supports for success.

Individual interventions providing intensive support.

Family Involvement is Key!

Family involvement is a key feature when implementing PBIS. Family members participate in planning teams and learn how to teach their children the importance of school-wide expectations at home and in the community. Family members can volunteer to participate in related school activities including school celebrations, public relations, and the search for donations and free resources in the community.

How can families use this approach to support behavior at home?

1. Support and reinforce PBIS at home by utilizing the same language of expectations at home as those used at your child's school (e.g. Respectful, Responsible, Kind and Safe)
2. Kids need reminders about expectations and routines, just like adults (road signs, workplace rules).
3. Consistently provide your child with specific positive feedback when they follow your expectations at home and at school.
4. Try to avoid the power struggle when correcting behavior, while maintaining your relationship with your child (this takes patience and practice).

Additional Resources

• PBIS.org
• Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports VTSS

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