"An Examination of the Effects of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) ON Students With Exceptional Learning Needs" by Christina Neeley ( Assigned Response by Dianne Flak)

Christina,
 Let me first commend you on your Critical Issue Research Paper. It was both informative and easy to read. The entire paper was professionally presented. I especially liked your use of different fonts and the hyperlinks within the paper. The PowerPoint was beautiful and summarized the paper effectively. I found your research to be very interesting and thought provoking. I have worked in schools where there have been PBIS programs in place, however, my role within the schools has always been as an outside provider.  I have never had the opportunity to be trained in PBIS or  knew how these types of programs were developed. After having read your paper, I was not at all surprised to read about the reluctance of some educators to adopt and  participate in PBIS. I suppose it's human nature to find comfort in what we are used to , however as educators we are trained to look critically at the issues that effect both our students as well as our classrooms. It is disheartening to read that there is a level of reluctance existing today regarding PBIS. Obviously there is significant research showing the effectiveness of such programs. One must assume that some educators are possibly set in their ways or do not want to be bothered learning a new approach. As stated in your paper, "Schools must become predictable, consistent, positive and safe environments for students", the underlying premise being to develop an attitude of respect and appreciation of others. The implementation of PBIS within a school helps to foster a sense of working together to achieve a common goal as well as to support one another's efforts. What is of vital importance in this concept is the teaching and understanding that positive behaviors are more effective than using negative behaviors. I can't help but wonder how much better our world would be if more people actually understood this concept.