Our goal at Oakcrest is that teachers, parents, and staff work closely to make a positive difference in our students' lives.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) gives people a new way to think about behavior. PBIS is based on understanding why problem behaviors occur - the behavior's function. PBIS is the application of evidence-based strategies and systems to assist schools and increase academic performance, increase safety, decrease problem behavior, and establish positive school cultures.

On a school-wide level, PBIS relies on accurate and reliable discipline referral data to understand the behaviors occurring across campus. An analysis of the data allows a school team to identify the problem areas, brainstorm interventions such as where and what to teach, reward the students exhibiting the expected behavior, and communicate findings to the staff, students, and families. The PBIS process is a team-based approach that relies on a strong collaboration between families and professionals from a variety of disciplines, regardless of the level implemented.

On an individual level, PBIS uses functional behavior assessments to understand the relationships between a student's behavior and characteristics of his or her environment. The functional behavior assessment identifies multiple strategies to effectively reduce problem behavior including changing systems, altering environments, teaching skills, and focusing on positive behaviors. The PBIS process results in the creation of effective intervention plans that will impede problem behaviors, teach new skills, and create support systems for the student.

PBIS provides a positive and effective alternative to the traditional methods of discipline. PBIS methods are research-based and proven to significantly reduce the occurrence of problem behaviors in the school, resulting in a more positive school climate and increased academic performance.