About

Bringing PBIS and restorative practices to Indiana schools

Traditional school discipline typically focuses on the student as the problem and relies on punishment to change behavior. The positive behavioral interventions and supports framework, known as PBIS, brings a new approach to behavior management, focusing instead on prevention.

PBIS involves clarifying, teaching, and acknowledging expected behavior and finding more effective ways to respond to problem behavior. This includes the use of restorative practices, a continuum of practices that aim to honor student voice, build community, and repair harm, restoring relationships after conflict has occurred.

PBIS Indiana helps the state’s educators implement the PBIS framework and restorative practices in their schools, creating a statewide network of schools using this transformational approach to behavior management.

Contact PBIS Indiana

  • Phone: 812-855-6508
  • Email: pbis@iu.edu
Find a PBIS Indiana staff member

PBIS has made a profound impact on every area of the school.

Craig Buckler, principal, Central Elementary School, Beech Grove Community Schools
Students in a classroom raise their hands.

What is PBIS?

PBIS is a decision-making framework that guides the use of evidence-based practices to encourage pro-social behavior, improve academic performance, and establish positive school cultures. The framework aims to help educators understand why problem behavior occurs and to develop positive, proactive ways to change behavior. It is NOT a program or curriculum.

PBIS can be applied at the student, classroom, or school level. School-wide PBIS uses data to identify the frequency and types of problem behavior in a school, where and when problem behavior is most likely, and whether many or a few students are involved. This data is used to select and implement evidence-based practices to address problem behavior.

More than 24,000 schools in all 50 states have implemented the PBIS framework.

What are restorative practices?

Restorative practices offer a new way of being, thinking, and relating, one that emphasizes relationships and the power they have to influence behavior. They give schools a positive approach to school-wide discipline, offering alternatives to exclusionary practices that negatively affect students. When conflict or harm occurs, restorative practices work to address the root cause of the issue, repair harm, and restore relationships.

Restorative practices can be integrated into the PBIS framework or used on their own.

About PBIS Indiana

A teacher and a group of children look at a tablet computer in a classroom.

PBIS Indiana brings the PBIS framework and restorative practices to districts and schools throughout the state by providing training, technical support, and resources to educators. PBIS Indiana’s approach focuses on integrating culturally responsive practices into the traditional PBIS framework, ensuring that issues of race, ethnicity, and culture are considered.

PBIS Indiana is part of the Center on Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL), which works with schools and communities to to welcome, include, educate, and support all learners. CELL is one of seven centers overseen by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, which is part of the Office of the Vice Provost for Research at Indiana University Bloomington.

Training and support options with PBIS Indiana

  • On-site Training - Bring the PBIS Indiana Team directly to your district/school. An array of options are available for you to customize the support you need.
  • Regional - Regional events scheduled around the state designed for leadershop teams to assess current sustems of behavior support and inform district/school plans.
  • Needs Assessment & Consultation - PBIS Indiana reviews implementation and and outcome data to enhance current discipline plans and suggest new directions with school-wide behavior supports.
  • Coaching & Technical Assistance - PBIS Indiana offers on-site training and technical assitance, walkthrough observations, and guidance to schools regarding their behavior supports plan. Trainers meet with partners to engage in reflective dialogue and planning specific to the building's unique context and needs. These session are arranged by contract.

Learn about the PBIS framework

Learn about restorative practices

Work with PBIS Indiana