1. What is Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support?
2. How does it work?
3. What is the link between behaviour and learning?
4. Where can I get more information?
5. Managers (Learning) and Tasmanian SWPBS Coaches
   

 

1. What is Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support?

Schoolwide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS) is an organised and tailored system of strategies that support social and learning outcomes for students, whilst preventing problem behaviour (Turnbull, Edmonson and Griggs et.al. 2002). Schools that implement SWPBS systems correctly are providing responsive environments that "stack the deck" in favour of appropriate student behaviour and preferred quality of life outcomes.

SWPBS is a continuum of strategies comprised of three components or phases, including (a) universal support, (b) secondary support, and (c) tertiary support. These three levels assist school staff to create the organised and tailored systems of support for all students.

Diagram 1: Continuum of Schoolwide Instructional & Positive Behaviour Support

2. How does it work?

SWPBS works by creating multiple behaviour support systems to enable school staff to adopt the most efficient and effective practices for decreasing problem behaviour. The school team starts with the implementation of a primary or universal prevention level of support and builds the remaining systems (secondary and tertiary) over a 3 to 5 year period until a full continuum of student support needs are addressed.

Building a working knowledge of SWPBS practices and systems will usually require school leadership teams, including parent representatives, to access quality professional learning or training in the SWPBS model. The first year of tasks for school leadership teams include:

• Development of an individualised action plan for SWPBS
  
• Establishment of Data Systems: Discipline Data, Effective Behaviour Support Self-Assessment Survey, Team Implementation Checklist
• Delivery of a presentation for school
• Organisation of meeting schedules and activities for upcoming school year
  (Horner, Todd, Lewis-Palmer et.al. 2004)
  

A visual representation of a complete Phases of Implementation Rubric for schools participating in the Tasmanian SWPBS program is provided with the following link Tasmanian Schools Implementation Rubric.[Word 48KB]

Picture 1: Kingston Primary School Rules

Picture 2: Prospect High School Rules

3. What is the link between behaviour and learning?

Recent Australian research conducted by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training in partnership with the New South Wales Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research examined school factors that affected violent behaviour in Australian schools (NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, 2005). The study revealed the following school-related factors that affected the likelihood of problem behaviour occurring:

Probability increased if a student:	Probability decreased if a student:
felt he/she spent a lot of time in class copying out of textbooks or off the blackboard. felt his/her teacher spent more time controlling the class than teaching. felt that his/her fellow students were racist. more than 25% of the student’s school teachers had less than five years experience.	felt that students making racist comments were reprimanded by teachers for doing so. felt that teachers at the student’s school stop bullying if they are aware of it. had found out the school rules formally (through classroom instruction, or in an assembly).

The SWPBS approach emphasises the significance of reconnecting behaviour and learning to achieve social and academic competence in students. The Positive Behaviour Support Elements diagram below (Diagram 2) provides a visual representation of this interconnectedness.

 

Diagram 2 Positive Behaviour Support Elements

4. Where can I get more information?

Additional resources are available online in addition to the contacts below:

Louise O’Kelly
Principal Education Officer – Positive Behaviour Support
Student Programs
Department of Education Tasmania

Phone: 03 62337778
Mobile: 0408 101 741
Email: louise.okelly@education.tas.gov.au

Managers (Learning)

North West

Kim Bennett
Phone: (03)64347224
Email: kim.bennett@education.tas.gov.au

South

Judy Travers
Phone: (03) 6212 3503
Email: judytravers@education.tas.gov.au

South East

Bob Phillips
Phone: (03) 6212 3502
Email: bob.phillips@education.tas.gov.au

North

Kevin Fagan
Phone: (03) 6336 4474
Email: kevin.fagan@education.tas.gov.au

Tasmanian SWPBS Coaches

Tasmanian SWPBS Coaches 2008 [Word 49KB]