Effectiveness of PBIS

While difficult to measure objectively and statistically due to the lifelong time element and multidimensional aspects of PBIS, there is some evidence available from schools related to its effectiveness.
Olson Park Elementary School in Loves Park reports a 40% decrease in its Office Behavior Reports from September, 2001 to September, 2002 due to implementing PBIS (FY03 PBIS 1st Quarter 2002).

Kentucky Schools indicate a 66% decline in office referrals due to implementation of a PBIS program, and a 64% decrease in school suspensions and expulsions. During the 1997-98 school year, one Kentucky school did not have a PBIS program in place. After implementing it the following year, the school showed a 65% decrease in the number of students suspended, a 76% decrease in the number of days of suspension school-wide. They also experienced an increase in reading scores attributed to a greater number of instructional hours (Positive Behavior Support and Delinquency Prevention, 2004)

The state of Maryland is a national model for effective use of PBIS. With state mandates to utilize the program, and routine training of teachers and school administrators by the state board of education, Maryland schools benefit from a proven track record of decreased numbers of school suspensions, and less class time lost to handle behavior situations. Nancy S. Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools claims, "PBIS is so successful because it focuses on changing behavioral expectations within schools, not just individual student behaviors. As a result, school cultures and environments have changed, making way for the kind of academic learning that we want for all Maryland’s children." (MSDE to Train Educators. . . 2004)
(http://wik.ed.uiuc.edu/index.php/PBIS_(Positive_Behavioral_Interventions_and_Supports)

Cool Tools!

In Carbondale Elementary School, in Illinois, Cool Tools help them to work with tier 2 students.  These are suggestions for teaching or role playing with a different focus for each week.  Here is an example:

"Target Area For the Week
Be Kind to one another

Monday: Try saying something nice to someone in your room or on the playground every day this week. You will be amazed at the results.

Tuesday: First, take pride in who you are. Then, treat others, as you would want to be treated. To have a friend you must be a friend.

Wednesday: Calling a person a name can often hurt as much as being hit. If you are mad at someone walk away form them. Don't stand there and call them names. That is a sure way to cause trouble for both of you.

Thursday: Making fun of another person isn't cool. If you don't like the way a person looks, acts, or what he is saying, leave the person alone. Making fun of a person will almost always make for hurt feelings. Only a small person makes fun of others.

Friday: We don't use racial slurs or make fun of another person's heritage. We all need to be proud of who we are. Feel good about yourself. Only a small person puts another person down to make himself feel good."
They have many more examples on their web site below. 


http://www.ces95.jacksn.k12.il.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=88438&catfilter=3039&PHPSESSID=5f95bfea912c57fd308058decb9d1f62#showDoc