5 PBIS Hacks to Improve School Climate (Including Secondary Schools!)

Implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) can transform the school environment, fostering behavioral and academic success. Here’s an example of how one high school achieved this and how you can too!

How It All Started

Nestled in the heart of Sarasota County, Florida, Venice High School is a bustling hub of over 2,000 students. The school’s journey with PBIS began with a clear goal: to provide effective Tier 2 interventions and create a positive, engaging learning environment. With a diverse student body and a dedication to academic excellence, the administration recognized that addressing behavioral challenges was crucial.

Here’s a glimpse into their progress and the five hacks they used to develop their PBIS framework:

Hack #1: Develop Cultural Expectations

Creating a positive school culture starts with clear, consistent expectations and common language. Venice High School established three core expectations: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. These principles were not just words on posters –  they were integrated into every aspect of school life. 

Steps to Develop Cultural Expectations:

• Define Expectations: Clearly define what behaviors exemplify being safe, respectful, and responsible in different school areas (classrooms, hallways, cafeteria, etc.).
• Communicate Expectations: Use visible signage, regular announcements, and grade-level presentations to ensure all students understand the expectations.
• Celebrate Success: Recognize and celebrate positive behavior regularly. Venice High held quarterly PBIS celebrations and staff appreciation events to maintain enthusiasm and buy-in.

➡️Access all sessions from our 2024 MTSS-Behavior Mini Summit now!

Hack #2: Use Data to Identify Needs

Data is your ally in PBIS implementation! By analyzing behavioral data, you can identify trends and areas needing attention. Venice High School used behavior heat maps to visualize where and when incidents were happening, allowing them to be proactive and to target interventions more effectively.

Steps to Utilize Data:

• Conduct Self-Assessments: Regularly assess your MTSS practices to identify strengths and areas for growth.
• Analyze Behavior Data: Look at aggregate and disaggregated data to spot trends by student groups, times, and locations.
• Monitor Progress: Track interventions and outcomes, ensuring that supports are effective and adjusted as needed.

Hack #3: Look for a High-Impact Win to Launch Your Program

Before expanding PBIS practices across the entire school, start small and build a solid foundation. Venice High initially focused on a small group of students with high numbers of discipline referrals and provided targeted support through the PBIS team.

Steps to Build School-Level Systems:

• Form a PBIS Team: Include representatives from various departments and roles to ensure diverse perspectives and buy-in.
• Start with a Pilot Group: Implement interventions like Check-In/Check-Out (CICO) with a small group to fine-tune the process and demonstrate success.
• Expand Gradually: Once the pilot is successful, include more students and teachers, ensuring proper training and support along the way.

➡️Check out this resource: Tier 2 Behavior Guide

Hack #4: Provide Continuous Professional Learning

Ongoing professional development is crucial for sustaining PBIS practices. Venice High offered regular PD sessions, including short video tutorials and monthly “Snacks for Strats” sessions, where teachers could learn and collaborate in a relaxed environment.

Steps to Provide Professional Learning:

• Tailor PD to Roles: Offer specific training for different roles (e.g., teachers, interventionists, administrators) to ensure everyone understands their part in PBIS.
• Use Data for PD: Share data with staff to highlight successes and areas needing improvement, using it to guide PD topics.
• Create Accessible Resources: Provide easy-to-access resources and ongoing support to help staff implement PBIS practices effectively. A PBIS Site with organized links to resources can help. 

📚Learn more about Branching Minds Intervention and Supports Library

Hack #5: Collaborate at School and District Levels

Effective PBIS implementation requires collaboration between schools and districts. Venice High worked closely with district officials and used state resources from the Florida PBIS Project to align policies and practices. This helped ensure consistent support, resources, and recognition.

Steps to Foster Collaboration:

• Understand the Policies: Ensure that school leaders understand district policies and the rationale behind them.
• Coordinate Efforts: Work with district officials to provide the necessary resources, training, and support for PBIS initiatives. District administrators are busy and may not be aware of your needs unless you ask directly! 
• Focus on Shared Goals: Align school and district goals to create a cohesive approach to student support and behavior management.

Impact of PBIS

Venice High saw significant improvements in both behavior and academics over three years, and was recognized by the state of Florida as a PBIS Model School!

• A 15% decrease in office discipline referrals
• A 9% decrease in the number of students receiving referrals

AND 

• A substantial increase in academic performance—12% in math proficiency, 4% in reading proficiency
• An increase in graduation rates from 94% to 97%

Watch the whole session from our 2024 Mini Summit below ⬇️