While some PA schools are still asking staff to react to negative behaviors through increasingly severe punishments, others  are taking dramatic steps to create positive school climates.  More and more districts are joining the Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS) movement, as schools implementing PBS report significant improvements in school climate.

PBS is a research-based approach to behavioral health support, in which all school staff are trained to respond to children in very specific ways. They learn to reward good behaviors and provide effective supports when children are struggling.  Schools quickly see dramatic drops in poor behavior, and equally dramatic increases in desired behaviors, such as paying attention in class and getting along with peers.

Below is the list of schools districts currently adopting PBS. View a more complete list of schools by building. PBS creates almost immediate change, and takes three years to fully implement.

Pennsylvania Public School Districts Implementing PBS, July 2010

Altoona Area Lewisburg Area
Abington Muncy
Bradford Area Northern Cambria
Bethlehem Area Northgate Middle / Senior High School
Bristol Township Oxford Area
Bucks County IU #22 Penncrest
Central Dauphin Pennridge
Chester County IU Philadelphia
Chichester Pleasant Valley
Coatesville Pocono Mountain
Cumberland Valley Pottsgrove
Danville Area Pottstown
Easton Area Reading
Gateway Scranton
Girard Selinsgrove Area
Greater Johnstown South Park
Greater Nanticoke Southern Tioga
Grove City Area Steel Valley
Hazelton Washington
Highlands Warwick Area
Huntingdon Area Williamsport Area
Jersey Shore Area Wyoming Area
Laurel  

If your school is not on the list, take a closer look at PBS by visiting one of the schools that is, and reviewing the resources provided below. Share this information with your school’s leadership and encourage them to visit as well. PBS schools are usually happy to show off their results.

Resources