Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, or PBIS, is a district wide approach to preventing and responding to negative school and classroom behavior. PBIS is used at the GESD as well as at more than 3,000 schools across the country.

Positive behaviors are frequently rewarded by school staff, while negative behaviors are consistently addressed with predictable consequences. PBIS aims to reduce the number of referrals and enables educators to be more active and consistent in addressing behavior problems that do arise.

The district decided that it will focus on three behavioral expectations that are positively stated and easy to remember. In other words, rather than telling scholars what not to do, the school will focus on the preferred behaviors. They are be safe, be responsible and be respectful.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), the Technical Assistance Center on Positive Behavioral Supports (PBIS) supports schools, districts, and states to build systems capacity for implementing a multi-tiered approach to social, emotional and behavior support. The broad purpose of PBIS is to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and equity of schools and other agencies. PBIS improves social, emotional and academic outcomes for all scholars, including scholars with disabilities and scholars from underrepresented groups.