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Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

Positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) is comprised of a broad range of systemic school-wide, group, and individualized strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes while preventing problem behavior with all students. PBIS is not a specific “model” but a compilation of effective practices, interventions, and systems change strategies that have been proven to be empirically effective and efficient. PBIS has relevant applications to educating all children and youth in schools or other community settings.

PBIS is a data driven systems approach developed to assist schools and community settings achieve socially important behavior change. Systems are put in place to support staff while they teach and encourage positive, healthy behaviors. PBIS is the integration of four elements:
  • Operationally defined and valued outcomes
  • Behavioral and biomedical science
  • Research-validated practices
  • Systems change to both enhance the broad quality with which all students are living/learning and reduce problem behaviors

When schools or community settings implement PBIS the result is documentation of more desirable child or youth behaviors and safer learning environment where students are able to achieve increased learning.

The PBIS Leadership Team began conceptualizing this plan in April 2006 and has provided advice and input concerning the best approach for implanting PBIS across SD. The SD PBIS Leadership Team is comprised members who represent Mental Health, Head Start, ESA, School Psychologists, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Special Education Directors, Higher Education, Parents, and the Department of Corrections. The primary purpose and role of the SD PBIS Leadership Team is to serve as advisors. In this role, members review products and provide input, review evaluation data, analyze data, raise critical questions and suggestions for improvement, make connections with policy makers to generate support as needed, and to generate political and public support by sharing information with representative groups.



Contact Rebecca Cain in the SD Department of Education's Special Education Office with questions at (605) 773-3678.