Classroom Practices: Positive Classroom Behavior Supports (PCBS)
Positive Classroom Behavior Supports (PCBS), formerly known as classroom management practices, include evidence-based practices designed to promote positive behavior and create a conducive learning environment for all students. By fostering a supportive and inclusive environment, positive classroom behavior supports help students feel safe, respected, and valued, which in turn encourages them to take responsibility for their actions and contribute positively to the classroom community.
What are Positive Classroom Behavior Support (PCBS) Practices?
- Maximizing Structure
- Physical Arrangement of the Classroom Environment
- Does the room setup allow for ease of transition and supervision?
- Does the room enviornment prevent blind spots?
- Are materials labeled and accessible?
- Establishing an Attention Signal
- An attention signal is a consistent, clear cue used by the teacher to quickly gain all students’ focus and prepare them to listen or follow directions
- Active Supervision
- Establishing Classroom Expectations, Rules and Routines
- Active Engagement/Opportunities to Respond
- Encouraging Appropriate Behavior
- Responding to Behavioral Errors
Why are they Important?
Each of the five practices are important for classroom behavior because together, they create a positive, predictable, and supportive learning environment where students are more likely to succeed and less likely to engage in challenging behavior.
- Maximizing Structure:
- Prevents behavior problems by organizing the space, time, and routines in ways that make expectations clear and help students feel safe and supported.
- Reduces opportunities for confusion, off-task behavior, and conflict.
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Establishing Classroom Expectations, Rules, and Routines
- Teaches students exactly what behaviors are expected in different settings and activities.
- Consistent rules and routines help students feel secure and lower anxiety, especially for students who struggle with self-regulation.
3. Active Engagement / Opportunities to Respond
4. Encouraging Appropriate Behavior
5. Responding to Behavioral Errors
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Teaches students what to do differently next time without harsh punishment.
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Helps maintain the flow of instruction while addressing problems calmly and consistently, preserving relationships and respect.
These practices work together to prevent problems before they start, teach and reinforce positive behaviors, and address mistakes in a way that supports learning — leading to a smoother, safer, and more productive classroom for everyone.
Critical Features:
Each of the five practices are important for classroom behavior because together, they create a positive, predictable, and supportive learning environment where students are more likely to succeed and less likely to engage in challenging behavior.
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Maximizing Structure:
2. Establishing Classroom Expectations, Rules, and Routines
3. Active Engagement/Opportunities to Respond
4. Encouraging Appropriate Behavior
5. Responding to Behavioral Errors
Implementation Tips:
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Maximizing Structure:
2. Establishing Classroom Expectations, Rules, and Routines
3. Active Engagement/Opportunities to Respond
4. Encouraging Appropriate Behavior
5. Responding to Behavioral Errors
Additional Resources:
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Maximizing Structure:
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2. Establishing Classroom Expectations, Rules, and Routines
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3. Active Engagement/Opportunities to Respond
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4. Encouraging Appropriate Behavior
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5. Responding to Behavioral Errors
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References:
Presentations
Explore a collection of professional development sessions and conference presentations focused on evidence based practices in learning environment and engagement.
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Publications
Explore a wide range of research-based guides, tools, and resources developed by PaTTAN to support educators, families, and school teams in implementing effective practices across academic, behavioral, and inclusive frameworks.
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Tools
Explore a curated collection of high-impact tools and resources to support inclusive practices, MTSS implementation, and effective instruction across content areas.
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