Positive Supports for Behavior and Discipline Resource Database

Although research indicates that PBIS effectively promotes positive student outcomes and improves school climate and culture, little is known about the involvement in and effectiveness of PBIS for students with extensive support needs (ESN). Students with ESN include students with significant cognitive disabilities. In response to two calls for continued research focused on PBIS and students with ESN, we conducted this literature review to summarize the current literature. In this report, we present the characteristics of the literature and implications for practice and future research initiatives. The review identifies 10 studies that have been conducted since the first call to action. A majority of them examined stakeholder perspectives on the importance and availability of school-wide PBIS for students with ESN, with perceptions varying across stakeholders and PBIS elements.

This brief discusses ways to design PBIS systems that are accessible to all students. It describes the importance of including all students in PBIS structures, gives practical strategies to help schools achieve this goal, and includes the story of a student who benefited from full access to his school’s PBIS system.