PBIS Case Studies
References: Some selections from PBIS and the Two Case Studies--
"The Talkative". In this scenario, one student instantly responds to any questions by the teacher, to the point of preventing other students from having a chance to respond. The other students have a name for her that reflects their perception of her as wanting to always be right and beat everyone else. The student ignores explicit requests to allow other students a chance to answer questions. Hara, B. Case studies: disruptive student behavior. (n.d.). PDF.
"The Chatterers". In this scenario, the problem behavior is two students having off-topic conversations. They seem to respond to a nonverbal cue, but then resume talking quietly. They ignore any further remarks about stopping from the teacher and disrupt the class focus. Hara, B. Case studies: disruptive student behavior. (n.d.). PDF.
"Off Task Disruptive". Includes "annoying and distracting others; talk to others frequently"
"Lack of Social Skills". Includes "poor interactions with others" and "always try to top others, be better, win everytime"
Tier 1 Intervention
Tier 1 Intervention
"Move to a New Location in the Classroom"
"Teach Social Skills"
Tier 2 Intervention
Tier 2 Intervention
When: when a student is talking too much with those around them"
How: "To get students moving and increasing activity levels, try having students physically move their desks to a new spot"
Why: "helps improve learning environment" and "helps reset some students"
When: "when students seem out of place, ostracized, or isolated"
Why: "helps students fit in" and to "function better in classes"
How:At the Tier 1 level, whole class instruction on the topic of "taking turns". An example resource for teaching this is the article "Social Mistakes Intellectual People Can Make". Could focus students on problems with "thinking you have all the answers and discount[ing] other people's input" as detracting from positive class climate and rapport with classmates.
"Behavior Contract"
Tier 3 Intervention
"Reward System"
Tier 3 Intervention
When: "when students exhibit persistent behavior problems"
Why: "increases student 'buy-in' and "holds students accountable"
How: "decide on main problem behaviors" and put them in a contract, explaining procedure to student. Make a big deal out of the student signing name. Review behavior with student in set time intervals.
Why: "produces a challenge with a payoff"
When: "when students are impulsive"
How: "praise for performing expected behaviors" and
"earning privileges for meeting expectations"
Ex. One way to do this would be to have the student earn a "no homework voucher", along with the student who successfully answered the question. A set number of no homework vouchers could be turned in instead of a homework assignment.
Data Tracking Tool #1 ⭐ "Daily Positive Behavior Tracking Form". This form is a shared effort by all teachers for a student throughout a day, with places for detailed peformance rankings, including "poor", "average" based on one or two "target behaviors". This is appropriate for older students, as it requires student review and signatures.
Data Tracking Tool #2 ⭐ "Antecedent Behavior Consequence Log". This form allows teachers to more clearly link causes to student behaviors, as well as student reactions to specific behaviors. As opposed to lower grade bands, this form fits 9-12 because, first of all, it is not displayed as an overarching, inexorable consequences chart that labels a student, but rather, serves as a log to be discussed with other teachers and the student. It might also help the student reflect on specific reactions. :
"Counselor Referral"
"Mentoring"
Redirect ⚠ ask the students to stop talking and remind them to pay attention to task in 1-2 sentences.
Redirect: ⚠ hold up "Antecedent Behavior Chart" and visibly make a note of disruptive student behavior. Remind student of appropriate norm/rule.
How: mentor should do something "fun and engaging with the student" while gradually and casually bringing up problem areas in student's performance.
Why: improves motivation and morale; better interpersonal connections.
When: "When students exhibit very little motivation and effort or just do not seem to care about work and/or behavior."
Why: "provides student with full attention of adult" (with parent's permission for counseling).
When: "when a students needs are greater than those a teacher can provide in clasroom setting" By this point, if a student hasn't responded to a behavior contract and meetings with a teacher over less desirable behavior, by allowing for a more stimulating class conversation, perhaps a counselor can get to the underlying issue.
How: can set up a meeting days in advance, or, for "spontaneous referrals", may send student to counselor with a note. Walk the student to the counselor's office, or have the counselor come retrieve the student.
Redirect ⚠ remind student that it is polite to give others a chance to speak; say no more than 1-2 sentences.
Hara, B. Case studies: disruptive student behavior. (n.d.). PDF.
Lack Of Social Skills. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2019, from https://www.pbisworld.com/behavior-descriptions/lack-of-social-skills/.
Move To A New Location In The Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.pbisworld.com/tier-1/move-to-a-new-location-in-the-classroom/.
Off-Task Disruptive. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2019, from https://www.pbisworld.com/behavior-descriptions/off-task-disruptive/.
Redirection. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2019, from https://www.pbisworld.com/tier-1/redirection/.
Response To Intervention (RTI). (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2019, from
Reward System. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2019, from https://www.pbisworld.com/tier-2/reward-system/.
Social Mistakes Intellectual People Make. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2019, from https://www.succeedsocially.com/intellectual.
Teach Social Skills. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2019, from https://www.pbisworld.com/tier-1/teach-social-skills.
Data Tracking Tool #3 ⭐ "Weekly Scatter Plot". At this point in the intervention process, the teacher has tried multiple interventions and has referred the student to an outside resource. A data tracking tool like this allows a snapshot view of the different kinds and frequency of behaviors and interventions attempted.