DEBUNKING PBIS MYTHS

Catherine Shwaery, PBIS Marylandcshwaery@pbismaryland.org

We can’t make students learn, but…We can create environments to increase the likelihood that students will learn and behave.

Problem-solving frameworkCulturally

contextualized

PBIS is…

SW-PBIS is not...

• a specific practice, package or curriculum

• limited to any particular group of students

Person-first Language

Yellow Zone StudentsTier 3 kids

Myth or Fact?

Myth or Fact?

• By the third quarter, it is typically okay to stop teaching social expectations.

• Data Decision Rules• Stages of learning– Acquisition– Fluency – Maintenance and Generalization

• Students are ALWAYS learning

Myth or Fact?

Once we hit 80% or better on the SET, adding Tier II/III systems

will be a piece of cake!

• Are universals matched to intensity of needs?

• Are teachers anchoring classroom practices to school-wide expectations?

• Phases of Implementation– Exploration & Trial– Adoption

10

Data-Based Decision MakingNumbers to Keep in Mind

• 7-15%: Percent of total population expected to need and be supported by Tier 2 interventions

• 1-5%: Percent of total population expected to need and be supported by Tier 3 interventions

• 70%: Percent of students (receiving intervention “X”) who should be responding to intervention

Let’s start with positive consequences or responses…

What about CONSEQUENCES?

“Rewards are fine for elementary school but are ineffective and inappropriate in high school.”

rewards will damage “intrinsic

motivation”

“Now we have to set up a school store.”

SW-PBIS simply will not work if you don’t use powerful “rewards.”

Myth or Fact?

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/classroom-management-right-start

PBIS practice?

Questions to help guide the conversation…

1. Are the same students always on red or losing points?

2. Do potential side effects (e.g., embarrassment, humiliation, isolation) negate the perceived positive effects?

Instructional Responses to Inappropriate Behavior

Proximity ControlSignal, non-verbal cueIgnore, attend to other students, praiseRe-direct Re-teachProvide choiceStudent conference, role-play or practice

Myth or Fact?

If you want success, you need to implement SW-PBIS exactly like the Gold Award winning schools.

Essential features are similar; however,You create your unique path based on your DATA, your RESOURCES, and OUTCOMES that are important to you