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What is PBS?
PBS (Positive Behavioral Supports) also known as PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), can best be described as a systems approach to academic achievement and social competence for all children. PBS is not a model, but a compilation of research based practices, interventions and systems integrated to improve the educational experience of all students, including those with disabilities.
PBS is the integration of four primary elements:
- operationally defined and valued outcomes,
- behavioral and biomedical science,
- research-validated practices, and
- systems change to both enhance learning quality and reduce problem behaviors.
What is Meant by a “Systems Approach?”
The Office of Special Education (OSEP) Center of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Implementers’ Blueprint states that common approaches to the problems schools encounter often fall into the “train-and-hope” perspective articulated by Stokes and Baer (1977):
The “train-and-hope” approach includes the following sequence:
- difficult to solve problem is encountered,
- expert is identified to provide a solution,
- expert provides or trains the solution,
- expert leaves and expects school to implement the solution,
- lacking supports and capacity, solution is not implemented effectively, and
- school waits for next problem to occur (“expert model” reinforced).
In contrast to “train-and-hope”, the school-wide approach to Positive Behavioral Supports gives priority to an interactive and integrated method of facilitating organizational change which incorporates four primary elements:
- defined desired outcomes reinforced by students, families and educators,
- evidence based practices,
- real time data collection used for evaluation and self-correction, and
- systems that support sustained implementation of PBS practices.
In this systems approach, the focus is not placed initially on the individual student, but on the environment within which the student functions. Adjustments are made at the district, school, classroom, and where indicated, the individual level in order to effect the best possible outcome for academic and social competence for all students. These adjustments are considered to be “universal” applications. Supports and interventions are provided with progressive focus and intensity for small groups and individuals in addition to school-wide efforts. With this approach, school-wide change efforts have the best chance of improving outcomes for all students, including those with disabilities who might have otherwise required instruction outside the classroom or school.
Citation: An Implicit Technology of Generalization, Baer, Donald M. and Stokes, Trevor F., Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1977 Summer; 10(2): 349-367.
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PBS Brochure
This document contains an overview, training opportunities and talking points.
Statewide Leadership Contact List
View a list of members of the State Wide Leadership Team. This team is charged with creating a communication and advisory network for PBS implementation across the State of Vermont.
Implementation Coaches Contact List
View a list of coaches who have been trained to implement PBS in Vermont schools.
National PBS Overview
An overview highlighting some national PBS efforts & research.
Vermont PBS Overview PowerPoint Presentation
An overview presentation of PBS as it exists in Vermont today. This document is also available below as a PowerPoint presentation. NOTE: This document is 2.5MB.
Schools Implementing PBS
View a list schools and supervisory unions.
Vermont PBS Annual Evaluation Report for 2009 (PDF)
Vermont is in its second year of providing state-wide support for schools interested in implementing PBS. This report describes how 33 school teams did in their first year of training and implementation efforts. There has been tremendous enthusiasm around this process and students, educators, families and communities are benefiting from this work. Beginning in this third year of implementation, there are 26 more schools preparing to go through their first phase of PBS training and implementation. Use the link above to download the current report
Vermont PBS Early Innovators Award
This award was presented to the following schools for being the first in the State to embrace and implement the concepts of School-wide Positive Behavior Supports in their school and for setting an example and creating a model for other schools to follow.
- Lincoln Elementary
- Monkton Elementary
- Mt. Abe Middle School
- Mt. Abe High School
Vermont PBS Learning Series for 2009-2010
View upcoming trainings and information sessions.
Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS) Guide for Parents(Added 10/20/09)
The Vermont Family Network (VFN) works with the Vermont Department of Education to bring families information about Positive Behavioral Support (PBS) and the many benefits for children and schools. PBS is a decision-making framework that guides selection, integration, and implementation of the best evidence based practices for improving academic and behavioral outcomes for ALL students. This guide provides information for parents about PBS, with specific examples of how parents and families can participate in this process. PBS is being implemented in several Vermont schools, to varying degrees; from awareness and readiness levels to full implementation that includes school wide planning, to small group interventions, to individual plans. For questions about this document, contact Kathleen Kilbourne at (800) 800-4005, ext. 244 or kathleen.kilbourne@vtfn.org.
Additional Resources
Use the following links to learn more about PBS at the national level:
- National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)-funded National Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports was established to address the behavioral and discipline systems needed for successful learning and social development of students. The Center provides capacity-building information and technical support about behavioral systems to assist states and districts in the design of effective schools.
- Association for Positive Behavior Support (APBS)
The APBS is an international organization dedicated to promoting research-based strategies that combine applied behavior analysis and biomedical science with person-centered values and systems change to increase quality of life and decrease problem behaviors. The Association is made up of professionals, family members, trainers, consumers, researchers, and administrators who are involved and interested in positive behavior support.
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