PBIS is a multi-tiered system of supports and interventions. Many representations of a PBIS model are that of a pyramid. When examining a pyramid, the base supports all student learning. As you move up a pyramid, it becomes narrower, eventually reaching a point at the top.
When working within PBIS, the base of the pyramid are supports for all students. For instance, the belief in positive school culture or taking responsibility for our learning each day. This is something that all students are expected to do on a daily basis. The PBIS model will provide supports for this to help students achieve these goals. Some of the items at this level are common classroom expectations and continuums for encouraging and discouraging types of behavior.
As we move up the pyramid, students may need additional help in ways such as increased instruction and practice, increased supervision, access to academic supports, and more. These tools are utilized for a smaller percentage of the student body to ensure that all students have the opportunity to be successful and create an environment to have a successful school. At the top of the pyramid, the smallest percentage of the student body may need more intervention and support to achieve our goals. This could involve different items that truly provide more support for the students throughout the day.
Image from: OSEP Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (2019). Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports [Website]. Retrieved from
www.pbis.org.
