Missouri Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support (MO SW-PBS) Connection to Special Education
Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support (SW-PBS) is provided to all students, including those who have an Individual Education Program (IEP). With a focus on prevention, research for SW-PBS has shown positive results across numerous outcomes, including decreased referrals for special education. School SW-PBS teams typically include general education and special education staff and may also involve representatives from mental health service agencies. Read More
Obama Administration and Education
CEC Interview with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Spring 2011
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan sent a letter to Chief State School Officers advising them to review their state polices on seclusion and restraint. Here is a brief excerpt from the letter suggesting a possible alternative to seclusion and restraint:
"Approximately 8,000 schools across the country are already implementing PBIS, a systems approach to establishing the social culture needed for schools to achieve social and academic gains while minimizing problem behavior for all children. PBIS provides a framework for decision making that guides the implementation of evidence-based academic and behavioral practices throughout the entire school, frequently resulting in significant reductions in office disciplinary referrals, suspensions, and expulsions. While the successful implementation of PBIS typically results in improved social and academic outcomes, it will not eliminate all behavior incidents in a school. However, PBIS is an important preventative approach that can increase the capacity of the school staff to support children with the most complex behavioral needs, thus reducing the instances that require intensive interventions"
Position Paper written by PBIS National Center Co-directors Rob Horner and George Sugai 
Additional information and resources regarding Seclusion and Restraint can be found on the PBIS website.
On July 1, 2010 the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education posted the Department's Model Policy on Seclusion and Restraint on the School Laws web page at: http://dese.mo.gov/schoollaw/.The 2009 information below is an abbreviated version of that posted on the Illinois PBIS website under the link “Legislative Update.
U.S. Representative Phil Hare (D-IL), a member of the Illinois PBIS Network Statewide Leadership Team, re-introduced the Positive Behavior for Safe and Effective Schools Act (H.R. 2597). This national legislation is designed to encourage the use of school-wide positive behavior support (PBS) to help improve school climate and foster students' academic and social success. The legislation would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), making support for school-wide PBS available through more sources. Specifically, it:
Provides flexibility for use of Title I funds so state agencies may provide technical assistance and support the implementation of PBS;
Amends the Safe & Drug Free Schools and Communities Program to emphasize initiatives that improve the whole school climate in order to foster learning;
Authorizes local education agencies to use funds for school-wide programs as a way to promote a school environment that is safe and conducive to learning;
Offers instructional leadership skills to help teachers administer PBS and enhance their understanding of the social and emotional learning of children to improve the learning climate;
Establishes a new office in the Department of Education to help coordinate and administer assistance to mental health and related services professionals who work with students on PBS and other evidence-based approaches to help improve their academic and behavioral outcomes.
H.R. 2597 currently has six co-sponsors, including Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) from Illinois.
U.S. Representative Phil Hare (D-IL) conducted a congressional briefing on PBIS in Illinois schools July 24, 2008. The briefing’s purpose was to encourage support for H.R. 3407, the Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act. A panel of experts including Dr. Lucille Eber, Illinois state PBIS director; Dr. George Sugai, co-director of the national PBIS Center; Laurel Stine, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and educators from Illinois schools provided testimony about PBIS and the success of the Illinois PBIS state initiative. Please see the information provided below in the September, 2007 update.
Four U.S. House of Representatives; Phil Hare (D-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Lynne Woolsey (D-CA) and David Loebsack (D-IA), have introduced legislation entitled The Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act (H.R. 3407). A press release by the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law (Bazelon Center Mental Health Policy Reporter, vol. 6, #4, August 6, 2007) described the proposed legislation as a means to give schools the tools and opportunity to change how they respond to students, reinforce desired behaviors and reduce problem behaviors.
Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act (S. 2111) in the U.S. Senate October 2, 2007. A press release quoted Senator Durbin, "America's teachers deserve our long term commitment so that they can provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Positive Behavior Support programs have proven successful in Illinois and throughout the country. They teach good behavior and reduce the need for discipline in the classroom, in turn allowing more time for teachers to teach. We must expand these innovative programs to teach our students about positive behavior."" To find out more about the bill,
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Division of Special Education extended an invitation to school districts September 17, 2007 to apply for Special Education Improvement grants (competitive) ranging from $15,000 to $75,000 for the 08-09 school year. These grants funds are to be used primarily for professional development. Schoolwide positive behavior support (SW-PBS) was recommended as one evidence-based practice to consider applying for through this grant opportunity.