School-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) is a framework designed to enhance students’ understanding of behavior expectations at school. Schools work within the framework according to their specific needs. Staff members and students are taught strategies aligned to the expected behaviors to ensure consistency across different contexts (in classrooms, the lunchroom, and restrooms, for example).
As part of the SWPBIS program, teachers and students develop an understanding of the appropriate disciplinary responses for inappropriate behaviors. The goals of consistent SWPBIS implementation include a decrease in problem behaviors, a decrease in office disciplinary referrals and suspensions, increased student engagement and attendance, and increased student perception of school safety. The framework uses a three-tiered system. At Tier 1, school staff use strategies aimed to address the needs of all students. At Tier 2, school staff target interventions toward students who have displayed problematic behavior or are at risk of doing so. At Tier 3, school staff employ individualized strategies to support students who have not been adequately supported by Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions.