Pennsylvania School Wide Positive Behavior Support
(PA SWPBS)
Draft 3/31/09
What is School Wide Positive Behavior Support?
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SWPBS is not a specific “model” but a team –driven, data-based decision making framework and support
process.
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SWPBS is a compilation of effective practices, interventions, and systems change strategies that have a
long history of empirical support and development and individually have been demonstrated to be
empirically effective and efficient.
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SWPBS is a system based upon a three-tiered model (Universal-prevention, Secondary-targeted
interventions, and Tertiary- intensive interventions) that addresses students K-12 at all three tiers.
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SWPBS is a proactive systems approach for creating and maintaining safe and effective learning
environments in schools, and ensuring that all students have the social/emotional skills needed to ensure
their success at school and beyond. It focuses on efficient use of data to guide decisions for improving
schools.
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SWPBS is comprised of a broad range of systemic and individualized strategies for achieving important
social and learning outcomes while preventing problem behavior with all students, not just students with
disabilities.
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SWPBS is a proactive approach to discipline that promotes appropriate student behavior and increased
learning.
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SWPBS is a research-based systems approach for establishing the social culture and behavioral supports
needed for schools to be effective learning environments for all students.
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SWPBS is a systems model that guides schools to design, implement, and evaluate effective school-wide,
classroom and student-specific instructional plans around behavior, social skills, and academics.
What is the Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network?
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The Pennsylvania Positive Support Network includes the State Management team, State leadership team,
Training network, Regional coordinators, and School districts. The State Wide Leadership Team is at the
core of the network and is an entity dedicated to the promotion and expansion of School Wide Positive
Behavior Support in PA.
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Mission Statement: The Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support Network (PA PBS Network), through
training and technical assistance, supports schools and their family and community partners to create and
sustain comprehensive, school-based behavioral health support systems in order to promote the academic,
social and emotional well-being of all Pennsylvania’s students.
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It is the goal of the PA PBS Network to ensure that all schools have the necessary technical assistance,
collaborative opportunities, and evaluative tools needed to overcome non-academic barriers to learning and
achieve competence and confidence in advancing academic, social, and emotional success for all students.
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Who is represented on the State Leadership Team?
The State Wide Leadership Team began in 2006 and had grown to presently include a membership of 52
individuals representing:
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Department of Education (Bureau of Special Education and Bureau of Community and Student servicesDivision of Student and Safe school Services)
Department of Public Welfare (Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services- Bureau of
Children's Behavioral Health Services),
Department of Health ( Bureau of Drug & Alcohol)
PaTTAN
Community Care Behavioral Health
Devereux Institute of Clinical Training and Resources
Disability Rights Network of PA
Educational Law Center
Families and Youth representatives
Governor’s Commission on Children and Families
Higher Education : Bloomsburg University, Indiana University and Lehigh University
Intermediate Units
Mental Health Association
PA Community Providers Association
PA Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Public Citizens for Children and Youth, Philadelphia ( PCCY )
Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services ( PNSAS)
PA Youth and Family Training Institute
(Please note that the membership is growing and additional agencies may have been added since this printing)
Are Schools in PA implementing SWPBS?
31 School districts in Pennsylvania are currently implementing with fidelity supported by their
Intermediate Units, Pa Training and Technical Assistance Network staff, and Regional Student
Assistance Program Coordinators. Many more are in various stages of implementing or expressing
interest.
What is the role of Families in School Wide Positive Behavior Support?
Families want quality services for their children and they know what works. SWPBS schools therefore
emphasis a team approach that is inclusive of family. This can strengthen family-school relationships
but at this time, the level of family involvement at the school district level varies just as the level of
implementation of schools involved in SWPBS.
At present, Youth, Parents, and Family members are also involved on the State leadership Team and are a
vital asset to the team.
Where can I learn more about School Wide Positive Behavior Support?
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www.pbis.org
www.pattan.net
www.parecovery.org
www.pbisillinois.org
www.sharedwork.org
http://flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu
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