The SAS is a great tool for gathering information about staff impressions of what aspects of SWPBIS are in place. However, teams should not stop there. It is important that each year teams implementing SWPBIS take an objective look at what features are firmly enough in place to have an impact on student behavior. Research shows that low fidelity implementation drastically degrades the impact of SWPBIS.
The Benchmarks of Quality (BoQ) allows schools a way to take this objective look at the first tier in a fast and efficient manner. The BoQ breaks the first tier down into 10 features and 53 individual items and requires minimal training to perform. The judgments of an outside observer, informed by the ratings of the SWPBIS team members, provide teams total score out of 100. That total score represents the schools overall implementation of the first tier. It will also provide assurance to the school team that they are implementing the first tier with high enough fidelity, and provide a basis for the state PBIS initiative to acknowledge high performing schools.
Additionally, the features and individual items are clearly broken down so that teams can use the information gained from performing the BoQ to drive their action plan and efforts for the upcoming year.
Performing the BoQ
The BoQ is intended to be performed/lead by a coach with basic tier 1 knowledge and skills as well as training in the administration of the tool. You may find the materials below. For help finding a qualified coach please contact PBIS Idaho.
Step 1: The coach will score each item on the BoQ. They will then calculate the total score. Simultaneously the team will completing their ratings. For this they will independently from one another identify if they believe an item is “in place”, “needs improvement”, or “Not in place”.
Step 2: The coach will then transcribe the most frequently selected response by the team onto the scoring form.
Step 3: The coach will identify discrepancies between their score and the most frequent score provided by the team.
Step 4: The coach will then transfer strengths, areas of improvement and discrepancies onto the team reporting form and out line each to the team at the next meeting. This will start with a discussion of the discrepancies. Teams should point out any new progress, materials, or implementation the coach may not have been aware of. If necessary the coach should change the item score and total score to reflect what is actually in place. The coach should then discuss the schools strengths with the team, and finally the areas that need improving. This discussion should lead to action planning for the upcoming year.
You can download the forms here. For more information on the BoQ visit PBIS.org.
Benchmarks of quality coaches scoring form