School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS) is a research-based approach for creating a safe and positive school environment that enhances student learning. SW-PBIS includes proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments. A multi-tiered continuum of positive behavior support for all students within a school is implemented in all areas. This includes the classroom and non-classroom settings (such as hallways, restrooms). Attention is focused on creating and sustaining school-wide instructional support in behavior so that problem behavior becomes less effective, efficient, and relevant, and desired behavior becomes more effective, efficient and relevant. SW-PBIS is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing school wide, and classroom discipline systems that are research-based. The development of SW-PBIS is the process for creating safer and more effective schools.

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Research shows that in schools throughout the nation that effectively adopt, implement and maintain this multi-tiered behavior system are more likely to have environments that
• are safer
• increase student engagement
• are more inclusive
• prevent major behavior problems
• respond to student behavior effectively and positively
• improve the results of interventions for students with more significant mental health and behavior problems
• enhance achievement for all students.

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Research also indicates that schools relying heavily on suspension, citation and expulsion continue to experience significant increases in violent, destructive behavior. Sadly, this also increases drop out and push out.

SW-PBIS provides a positive and effective alternative to the traditional methods of relying on punishment. The SW-PBIS system is research-based and proven to significantly reduce the occurrence of problem behaviors in the school, resulting in a safer, more positive school climate and increased academic performance. — with

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Laura Zeff.