What is the first action a school psychologist should take when implementing school-wide positive behavior support?

The most effective initial action for a school psychologist implementing school-wide positive behavior support is to define expectations for behavior and instruct students. Establishing clear behavioral expectations is foundational for any positive behavior support system. It creates a shared understanding among students, staff, and the broader school community of what acceptable behaviors look like.

When these expectations are defined and explicitly taught to students, it sets the stage for consistent application and reinforcement of positive behaviors throughout the school. This proactive approach helps students comprehend the behaviors that are encouraged and the reasons behind them. Building this understanding from the outset increases the likelihood that students will engage in these behaviors consistently.

Additionally, this step enables further actions, such as seeking teacher input, gathering data, and reviewing research, to be more effective. When everyone is aligned on the expected behaviors, it provides a solid framework for monitoring and supporting student progress. In this manner, the implementation of positive behavior support is more smoothly integrated and positively reinforces desired behavior.