Promoting Positive Change: PBIS Initiatives to Enhance School Climate and Safety

• In Event: Schools, Violence, and Student Mental Health

Abstract

Student misconduct and violence are persistent issues in schools. In recent years, many schools have attempted to shift away from exclusionary school discipline toward proactive, nonpunitive strategies to address student behavior. One approach, positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), focuses on supporting positive student behaviors, while providing targeted resources for students in need. The current project reviews the ongoing implementation of PBIS to improve school climate and safety at a middle school, facilitated through a multitiered systems of support (MTSS) coordinator. Central to this PBIS initiative are several key interventions at the school: schoolwide and classroom behavior matrices that define expectations for behavior, a schoolwide system for recognizing and acknowledging positive student behavior, and a check-in/check-out (CICO) process for students in need of more targeted supports. Utilizing student and staff survey data, as well as focus group data from teachers, support staff, and administrators, the preliminary effects of these initiatives are reviewed, highlighting the successes and challenges associated with implementing PBIS initiatives to address misconduct and violence at the school. This research contributes to the growing body of evidence on PBIS, offering valuable insights for future efforts for schools seeking to improve behavior and safety through nonpunitive approaches.

Authors

• Nicholas Perez, California State University, Long Beach

• James Lauritsen, California State University, Long Beach

• Emilie Whitehouse, University of Nebraska Omaha

• Jamie Yap, University of Delaware

• Dina Perrone, California State University, Long Beach