District 47 has implemented a district-wide student behavior system called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). PBIS is a proactive systematic approach designed to improve student behavior across all grade levels to help students achieve social, emotional, and academic success. Data about student behavior is collected and analyzed by a school’s PBIS team in order to respond proactively to identified areas of concern. All staff members work together to consistently teach, model, reteach, and reinforce the school behavior expectations. These expectations are used across all settings in the school, including areas like P.E., the cafeteria, the playground, the bus, and even bathrooms.

PBIS allows schools to:

• acknowledge and celebrate what students are doing well
• focus on interventions that are research- and evidence-based
• provide consistent expectations and reporting in all places students visit throughout the school day
• teach students proper behavior expectations resulting in increased instruction time
• acknowledge expected and “above and beyond” behaviors by allowing students to earn such items as tokens, coins, bucks, and raffle tickets, which can be redeemed for a variety of incentives like prizes, special privileges, group incentive parties, and time with a staff member at school
• encourage family and community relationships among staff and students
• focus attention on the positive behaviors that students exhibit throughout the day that positively impact a classroom and school culture