Days 2-3

Wednesday, October 22nd - Thursday October 23rd 

Topic-specific Strands

Getting Started with PBIS
In order to effectively implement PBIS, key leaders need to acquire the essential knowledge for establishing data, systems, and practices at the district and school level. This strand provides an overview of the main school-wide and classroom-wide implementation data, systems, and practices of School-wide PBIS (Tier 1) including the logic/rationale, definitions and features of Tier 1 as the necessary foundation for building systems and supports at higher Tiers. Prior to the Virtual PBIS Leadership Forum, registered participants will be guided through a self-assessment of their current status with PBIS elements to establish a context for ‘live’ action planning throughout the sessions.

District Leadership
District-level systems and supports are critical to effective PBIS implementation that builds internal capacity and is sustainable over time. This strand will describe and demonstrate the logic of district-wide implementation, the elements and drivers for implementing PBIS district-wide, as well as sustaining and expanding implementation efforts. District leaders from multiple states will share experiences with implementing, expanding, and sustaining PBIS district-wide. Participants will be guided through common steps taken for district-wide implementation with a focus on the need for common data, tools, interventions, and processes that are critical to build internal capacity and sustainability across all tiers.  Assessment and planning tools and resources will be shared.

Equity
To ensure each student is successful, we need to examine our PBIS systems with an equity lens, including disaggregating data and adapting systems to meet the needs and strengths of students and families. This strand will share strategies for making PBIS systems more culturally responsive, coaching for implementation, and maximizing the effects of district equity initiatives. We will begin with Tier 1 PBIS and how to adapt them to improve fit with the values and needs of students in school and classroom. Additional sessions will address systems for implementation, coaching to get culturally responsive practices in place, and district equity initiatives.

Mental Health Integration
To effectively meet the mental health needs of students, schools need to engage with communities and families with efficiency and accountability. This strand offers guidance and examples for state and local leaders to align and strengthen all social/emotional/ behavioral efforts through one interconnected system. Sessions will demonstrate how the core features of MTSS are used to ensure a sustainable system that impacts the mental health of students, families and communities. Tools and planning templates will be provided.

Tier 2 Systems & Practices
Building from universal (Tier 1) systems while providing a ‘launch’ for individualized supports (Tier 3), Tier 2  is a powerful component of PBIS. This strand will describe essential features and keys to systemic school/district success and an overview of evidence-based Tier 2 practices. Sessions will include the voices and experiences of key leaders and practitioners from schools and districts illustrating practices and providing advice for effectiveness. A one-two page overview description of Tier 2 elements will be provided with links to tools, materials, resources, and related past presentations to allow participants to access  more information on Tier 2 systems and practices.

Classroom PBIS
Educators have always been asked to do more each year and this certainly has been true for the changing context of education during recent times. This strand will explore practical strategies to support teacher use of high leverage practices with a focus on equity and efficiency. Participants will be provided with a template to capture ideas and actions to implement with an emphasis on how they will measure their implementation. In addition to the 3 sessions in this strand, an extra Discussion Session will be offered (evening of Day 1). A virtual collaboration platform will be used to allow participants to give and get ideas and build community across the cascade of implementation.

Family Partnerships
The past year has highlighted the importance of deliberate and authentic partnerships between schools and families. The overall theme of the Family Partnerships strand will be "Promoting and Supporting Family-School Partnership and Family Leadership across MTSS Tiers." Sessions will describe and provide applied examples of how to enhance family-school partnerships to support students with a wide range of social, emotional, behavioral, and academic needs. Practical examples of how to effectively engage with families and strengthen partnerships to improve student success at Tiers 1, 2, and 3. Strategies for enhancing family voice in designing and assessing supports for students with targeted and intensive needs will be shared.

Juvenile Justice
The application of PBIS within Juvenile Justice facilities and other alternative school settings continues to expand as leaders commit to equitable and evidence-based approaches for promoting positive social/emotional/behavioral approaches that support effective academic learning. This strand will focus on increasing fidelity of Tier 1 implementation, with a focus on integrating and aligning PBIS with other systems and initiatives present in facilities and alternative settings. Experiences and advice from leaders and implementers from various states will be included in the sessions.

Tier 3 Systems & Practices
This session provides an opportunity to dive deeper into Tier 3 supports following the content that was shared and recorded form last year's Forum.  Session 1 will review prior material shared on Tier 3 Systems and Practices and offer more in-depth knowledge of practices. Session 2 will provide an overview of functional thinking related to internalizing behaviors.  Session 3 will discuss centered planning and how it can impact Tier 3 support.

Youth Voice
Bringing students and adults together can be a powerful strategy for strengthening the social, emotional, and academic fabric of the school. Authentically engaging students' voices can contribute to the establishment of equitable learning environments. This strand will describe strategies to build constructive youth voice within PBIS implementation with a focus effective change at the building, district and state level. Participants will hear directly what our young people have/are experiencing in school and in their community to include a focus on mental health needs.