PBIS: What does it take to make it work?

Brief Biography

Jessica Harris is currently the PBIS coach and Special Education co-contact person at Middle Ridge Elementary in Newton County, Georgia. Ms. Harris holds a BA Degree in Spanish, a Master’s Degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Autism and Emotional Behavior Disorders, and an Educational Specialist degree in Special Education. She has over 14 years of experience in education working with general education students and students with disabilities. Under her direction as PBIS coach, Cousins Middle School earned operational status in 2014 and Middle Ridge earned operational status in 2015.

Highest Degree of Presenter(s)

Educational Specialist in Special Education

Presentation Abstract

Many schools are given the directive from county administration to implement a school wide positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) program with having little background knowledge on the critical elements necessary to see positive change in school culture. Student and teacher buy-in can serve as another struggle in getting school wide initiatives implemented with fidelity. A growing disconnects among schools, parents, and community stakeholders also serve as a barrier hindering student achievement.

This presentation will highlight the steps two schools used when presented the task of implementing a PBIS program. The 10 main areas of the PBIS framework will be highlighted and examples given on how both schools used the framework to successfully implement their PBIS programs to achieve the status of operational schools as recognized by the Georgia Department of Education. The development of the PBIS team will be reviewed as well as strategies used to ensure faculty commitment. The development of the school wide expectations and rules will be outlined. The reward and recognition programs will be reviewed and examples given for both the elementary and secondary levels. The implementation plans for teaching behaviors will be discussed and resources given. Classroom systems will be reviewed and it will be noted how this area hindered one of the schools from gaining operational status during year one of implementation. Evaluation tools will be discussed and examples given on how both schools conducted surveys as a means to gather data. Information will be provided on opportunities to gain community stakeholder commitment on the PBIS systems. Strategies will be given on ways to gain parent support of the PBIS system. Examples of ways that parents can be included will be discussed.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 

PBIS: What does it take to make it work?

Many schools are given the directive from county administration to implement a school wide positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) program with having little background knowledge on the critical elements necessary to see positive change in school culture. Student and teacher buy-in can serve as another struggle in getting school wide initiatives implemented with fidelity. A growing disconnects among schools, parents, and community stakeholders also serve as a barrier hindering student achievement.

This presentation will highlight the steps two schools used when presented the task of implementing a PBIS program. The 10 main areas of the PBIS framework will be highlighted and examples given on how both schools used the framework to successfully implement their PBIS programs to achieve the status of operational schools as recognized by the Georgia Department of Education. The development of the PBIS team will be reviewed as well as strategies used to ensure faculty commitment. The development of the school wide expectations and rules will be outlined. The reward and recognition programs will be reviewed and examples given for both the elementary and secondary levels. The implementation plans for teaching behaviors will be discussed and resources given. Classroom systems will be reviewed and it will be noted how this area hindered one of the schools from gaining operational status during year one of implementation. Evaluation tools will be discussed and examples given on how both schools conducted surveys as a means to gather data. Information will be provided on opportunities to gain community stakeholder commitment on the PBIS systems. Strategies will be given on ways to gain parent support of the PBIS system. Examples of ways that parents can be included will be discussed.