Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) refers to the application of positive interventions and system changes to achieve socially important behavior change. It is based on a problem-solving model and aims to prevent inappropriate behavior through teaching and reinforcing appropriate behaviors (OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports, 2007).

School-wide PBIS fits into Georgia’s Response to Intervention (RTI): Student Achievement Pyramid of Intervention as a universal approach which focuses attention on the set of social skills/behaviors that all students are expected to display. The curriculum consists of specific school-wide expectations developed at each school which are then taught to students and reinforced in every setting. Progress monitoring by teachers and school based PBIS teams guides the application of interventions in a consistent and systematic manner from school-wide implementation at Tier 1 to individual supports at Tier 4.

PBIS Goals

• Identify and enhance knowledge about, and practical demonstration of, school-wide PBIS practices, systems and outcomes along the four-tiered continuum and
• Develop, conduct and evaluate technical assistance and dissemination efforts that allow evidence-based practices to be implemented on a large scale with high durability and effectiveness.

For more information on PBIS, go to the National Technical Assistance Center for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and view their ‘Top 5 Current Topics’ which include the updated School Wide Positive Behavior Support Blueprint and Self-Assessment, Bully Prevention, PBIS tools, SWPBS Implementation in High Schools, and Seclusion and Restraint SWPBS considerations.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) District Coordinator/ Coaches Meeting

This is the first of two annual PBIS District Coordinator and Coaches’ meetings sponsored by the GaDOE Positive Behavior Supports Unit. These meetings will be held simultaneously at multiple locations on September 23, 28, and 30th. The meetings will be offered on a regional basis to encourage capacity building and networking for PBIS Districts.

Attendance at a meeting is required for all District Coordinators and Coaches. Topics that will be covered include the required PBIS Assessments (i.e., Self-Assessment, Team Implementation Checklist, and School Walk-throughs), Coaches Self Assessment, Data Review, and networking. Work time for action planning will also be provided to District Coordinators and their PBIS Coaches.

Note that this is NOT a PBIS team training.

Deadline for registration is September 17th. Seating is limited at each site. If the session for which you register is full, we will contact you with alternate locations. An agenda and directions to each site will be provided to registrants. For further information or questions, contact one of the following people:

Jean Ramirez (jramirez@doe.k12.ga.us)
Mimi Gudenrath (mgudenrath@doe.k12.ga.us)
Jasolyn Henderson (jhenderson@doe.k12.ga.us)