Less Punishment, More Learning: The PBIS Approach to Student Behaviour

It’s a situation that happens all too often: students, who are supposed to be learning, get punished for not knowing how to behave, instead of being taught the right way to act.

Luckily, things are starting to change. Schools across India are beginning to focus on guiding students to make better choices rather than just handing out punishments. The idea is simple—teach the right behaviours, and students will learn to apply them. This shift in mindset is at the heart of a system known as Positive Behaviour Interventions and Supports (PBIS). But what exactly is PBIS, and how can it transform the way we manage behaviour in schools? Let’s dive into this approach and see how it’s making a difference.

What is Positive Behavioural Interventions and Support (PBIS)?

Positive Behavioural Interventions and Support (PBIS) is a system used by schools to create a safe and positive environment for students. It focuses on teaching and encouraging good behaviour, while also using proactive approaches to handle bad behaviour. Instead of punishing students, PBIS helps them understand what is expected and supports them in meeting those expectations.

With PBIS, schools treat positive behaviour like any other lesson — they teach it directly to students. Everyone learns what behaviours are acceptable, and they use the same language to talk about them. This approach works across different areas of school life, from classrooms to lunchrooms to the bus, ensuring that students know what’s expected of them everywhere.

Research shows that PBIS helps improve student behaviour. In schools where PBIS is used, students tend to get into less trouble, with fewer detentions and suspensions. They also perform better in their studies, and there is even some evidence suggesting that PBIS helps reduce bullying.

Five Elements of PBIS

1. Equity

   When you follow PBIS properly, it should fit smoothly into your school or program’s environment. This requires focusing on culture and fairness. Leaders need to work closely with teachers, students, families, and community members to set clear goals and maintain high expectations for everyone. Focusing on fairness means adjusting teaching methods to meet each student’s needs and looking at data from different groups of students to make sure everyone succeeds.

   As you think about fairness in PBIS, ask yourself: How can we improve the experiences and results for each teacher and student?

2. Systems

   Systems are the structure that keeps everything running smoothly in your school or program. This includes the teams, training, and support for teachers. With PBIS, these systems help ensure that the practices are being done right and that data is used to improve outcomes.

   When considering systems, think about: What can we do to keep things running smoothly in the long run?

3. Data

   Your school collects a lot of data on students, and PBIS uses this information to track and improve the different parts of the program. Data is used to monitor how well the practices are working and to make adjustments where needed.

   As you look at the data, ask yourself: What do we need to know to make smart decisions about how we’re doing with PBIS?

4. Practices

   The strategies and methods you use in classrooms are crucial for creating a positive environment and helping students succeed. In PBIS, these practices are backed by research, and they are focused on achieving the outcomes that matter to your school community, like student growth in behaviour, social skills, and academics.

   When thinking about practices, ask yourself: How will we support our students’ growth in behaviour, emotions, and academics?

5. Outcomes

   The goal of PBIS is to improve the overall experience for everyone—students, teachers, and families. This could mean better behaviour, social skills, emotional growth, or academic performance. It could also lead to a more positive school environment or fewer disciplinary issues.

   When reflecting on outcomes, consider: What are the goals we want to achieve, and how can we work together to make them happen?

How Does PBIS Work?

PBIS is a system that helps schools improve behaviour and create a positive environment. It uses a three-tier approach, with each level designed to address different needs among students.

Level 1 – For Most Students

Most of the support in PBIS is provided at Level 1. This is where schools start by creating a behaviour plan that highlights the positive behaviours they want all students to practice. These behaviours might include things like walking quietly in the hallways, cleaning up after yourself in the cafeteria, or keeping your locker organised. When schools focus on encouraging these behaviours, negative actions tend to reduce. With fewer disruptions, teachers can spend more time on instruction.

Around 80% of students only need the support at Level 1 to be successful.

Level 1 Features:

• Aimed at the whole school
• Applies to all students, staff, and areas of the school
• Focuses on reducing negative behaviours
• Helps increase teaching time

Level 2 – For Some Students

Some students (about 15%) might have trouble with the basic support provided in Level 1. These students might need extra help to address behaviours that put them at risk. Level 2 is where specialised support steps in. This support focuses on understanding what might be causing a student’s negative behaviour, such as social, emotional, or academic challenges. By addressing these underlying issues, the goal is to stop the problem behaviours from getting worse.

Level 2 Features:

• For small groups of students
• Special support for students showing signs of trouble
• Works to prevent behaviour problems from escalating

Level 3 – For a Few Students

For students who don’t respond to the help in Level 2, Level 3 offers even more tailored support. This level is for students with serious behaviour issues, and the interventions are more personalised. Often, a specific plan is created to address the student’s unique needs, whether they relate to their behaviour or academics. This might include working with special education teachers or school psychologists. Only a small number of students (usually less than 5%) need the support at this level.

Level 3 Features:

• Individualised support for a few students
• Special plans to help students with severe behaviours
• Aimed at reducing serious ongoing behaviour problems

By using this three-tier approach, PBIS helps schools address behaviour in a way that meets the needs of all students, from those who need general support to those who require more specialised care.

Advantages of Schoolwide PBIS

Using PBIS across the whole school can bring many positive changes such as:

1. Creates a Positive School Environment

   With PBIS, the atmosphere in the school improves. It helps make the school a more supportive, welcoming place for both students and teachers. Instead of focusing on punishing bad behaviour, the focus is on encouraging positive actions, which helps create a friendlier and more positive school culture.

2. Teaches Important Social Skills

   PBIS isn’t just about managing behaviour – it’s about teaching kids the right way to interact with each other. By promoting respect and responsibility, it helps students develop better social skills that last beyond the classroom.

   Related Read: What Is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Its Importance?

3. Fewer Trips to the Principal’s Office

   One of the great things about PBIS is that it reduces the number of students sent to the office for bad behaviour. Instead of punishment, PBIS teaches students how to handle situations in a better way, which leads to fewer discipline issues overall.

4. More Focus on Learning

   With fewer behaviour problems, there’s more time for teaching. When students are engaged and well-behaved, teachers can spend more time on lessons and less time on classroom management.

5. Supports Emotional Growth

   PBIS isn’t just about behaviour; it helps students grow emotionally too. By promoting positive interactions and teaching coping skills, it helps students develop a better understanding of their emotions and how to manage them.

6. A Safer School for All

   When positive behaviour is the focus, it helps make the school a safer place. Students feel supported and are more likely to follow the rules, which leads to fewer fights and a decrease in bullying.

7. Keeps Students Engaged

   PBIS makes students feel recognised for doing the right thing. When they see their positive actions being praised, they’re more likely to stay engaged and excited about learning.

8. Improves Student Performance

   With less time spent on behaviour issues and more time spent learning, students perform better. They’re more focused, more motivated, and more likely to succeed.

9. Brings Families into the Picture

   PBIS also encourages more communication between the school and families. When positive behaviours are celebrated, families feel more involved in their child’s education and progress.

10. Helps Teachers Stay Longer

    Teachers feel supported in a PBIS school. They see the difference it makes in classroom management and overall student behaviour, which leads to higher job satisfaction and better teacher retention.

11. Simplifies Classroom Management

    With PBIS, classroom management becomes smoother. Students know what’s expected of them, and the clear structure makes it easier for teachers to manage the class without constant disruptions.

Closing Thoughts

Adopting PBIS across schools is more than just a shift in how we discipline students—it’s a change in how we view their growth. By focusing on teaching positive behaviour, schools are not just reducing problems but are nurturing students to make better decisions, both in and out of the classroom. As more schools in India embrace this approach, the benefits will ripple out, creating a safer, more supportive environment for everyone involved.

If you’re a teacher looking for resources to help you manage your classroom and bring positive change to your school, be sure to check out Extramarks for Teachers. With tools and strategies designed to make teaching easier and more engaging, you’ll find everything you need to support your students and help them succeed.

Last Updated on January 31, 2025