County Schools Excel at PBIS Practices

Schools across San Diego County were recently recognized by the state of California for their practices in positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS).

More than 100 local schools received honors at the Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze levels out of nearly 2,500 in the state, including SDCOE’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools. 

The recognition is given out by California PBIS, a statewide organization that helps educational partners build capacity to implement PBIS practices.

The San Diego County Office of Education works with more than 60 schools in the county to provide training on PBIS practices, including McAuliffe Elementary School in Oceanside Unified School District, which earned Silver honors this year.

“PBIS is important for students because it creates a safe and predictable environment where both students and staff can be successful,” said Dr. Bill Willis, principal at McAuliffe Elementary. “By utilizing a collaborative approach, PBIS promotes equity, strengthens relationships, and creates an environment focused on growth, respect, and shared responsibility for success.”

In general, PBIS emphasizes four integrated elements: (a) data for decision-making; (b) measurable outcomes supported and evaluated by data; (c) practices with evidence that these outcomes are achievable; and (d) systems that efficiently and effectively support implementation of these practices.

The Center on PBIS defines PBIS as a framework for creating safe, positive, equitable schools, where every student can feel valued, connected to the school community and supported by caring adults. By implementing evidence-based practices within a PBIS framework, schools support their students’ academic, social, emotional, and behavioral success, engage with families to create locally meaningful and culturally relevant outcomes, and use data to make informed decisions that improve the way things work for everyone.

Through the guidance of California PBIS and its partners, California has become a leader in the implementation of PBIS with nearly 3,500 known schools currently implementing the preventative framework across the state. Please visit pbisca.org for additional information.