The School District of Lee County recently announced 29 schools have been chosen as PBIS Model Schools by the Florida Department of Education PBIS Project. PBIS refers to Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, which encompasses research-based strategies used to increase quality of life and decrease problem behavior by teaching new skills and making changes in a person’s environment.

The 29 schools are Bayshore Elementary, Bonita Springs Elementary, Bonita Springs Middle Center for the Arts, Buckingham Exceptional Student Center, Caloosa Elementary, Caloosa Middle School, Cape Elementary, Colonial Elementary, Cypress Lake High School, Dr. Carrie D. Robinson Littleton Elementary, Edison Park Creative and Expressive Arts School, Gulf Elementary, Harns Marsh Middle School, J. Colin English Elementary, Manatee Elementary, Mariner High School, Mirror Lakes Elementary, North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts, Orange River Elementary, Patriot Elementary, Rayma C. Page Elementary, River Hall Elementary, Royal Palm Exceptional Student Center, Sunshine Elementary, Three Oaks Elementary, Three Oaks Middle School, Tortuga Preserve Elementary, Trafalgar Elementary and Trafalgar Middle School

The PBIS Resilience Award was introduced this year as a way to recognize schools for their successes in continuing their schools’ Positive Behavior Interven-tions and Support initiatives while also navigating the challenges of virtual instruction and activities that had to be modified due to the pandemic. All schools chosen as model schools also earned the Resilience distinction.

Several middle schools still have their applications being reviewed, so it is possible more schools will be awarded PBIS Model School and PBIS Resilience awards.

Schools that have received training in PBIS, demonstrate improved school-wide outcomes, as well as equitable student outcomes, and that have shown fidelity of implementation are recognized by the FLPBIS Project’s Model Schools program. To earn this level of achievement, schools must meet specific criteria: Exemplify high levels of PBIS implementation fidelity, demonstrate generally low rates of exclusionary discipline when compared to similar school types across the state and demonstrate equitable student outcomes

To learn more about the FLPBIS Project Model School program, logon to the District’s website.