Un1que2L3arn Advocacy

“Suspension isn’t Tier 2.” 🚫

Punishment asks: “What rule did you break?”

PBIS asks: “What skill are we missing?”
Suspension removes the kid. It doesn’t teach what TO do instead.

Yes — you can keep kids safe and use PBIS.

Safety first. Then we teach.
Because a detention slip never taught anyone to self-regulate.

The goal is skill-building, not compliance.

Use this at your next meeting:
“How are you teaching my child the replacement skill?”

Teach > Exclude. Every time.

👇 Save this + send to a parent or teacher who needs it.

Stop counting referrals 📊

If you want behavior to actually change, track THIS instead:

The PBIS ‘Big 5’:
1. What behavior?
2. Where did it happen?
3. When?
4. Which student?
5. Which staff?

20 referrals in the same hallway at 10:15am?

That’s not a “bad kid” problem. That’s a system problem.

And the ratio that changes brains: 4 positive comments for every 1 correction.

Ask your school today: “What’s our top location for referrals this month?”

Data > Opinions. Every time.

👇 Save this for your next IEP meeting or PTA convo.

Tier 2 isn’t detention ❌

Here’s what PBIS actually looks like in real life ⬇️

The 3 Tiers of PBIS Explained:

Tier 1: For 100% of kids

We teach 3-5 school-wide rules to everyone. Think “Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Responsible.” This is core instruction, like reading.

Tier 2: For 10-15% of kids

Small group support. Examples: Check-In Check-Out or social skills groups. It can be just 2 min/day with a trusted mentor.

Tier 3: For 1-5% of kids

Individualized FBA + BIP. We figure out why behavior happens and build a plan around that need.

Key point: Kids move tiers based on data, not behavior charts or who “deserves” it.

80% of kids should succeed with Tier 1 alone.

If your school isn’t hitting that, it’s a systems issue — not a kid issue.

Comment ‘TIER’ if your school explains this to parents 👇

PBIS is NOT bribery 🚫🎟️

If your school hands out tickets… you’re missing the whole point.

PBIS 101: More Than Posters & Prizes

PBIS is a 3-tier framework for teaching behavior, much like we teach reading.

Tier 1 = for ALL kids.

We actually teach what “Be Respectful” looks like in the hallway vs. the cafeteria. It’s not assumed. It’s taught.

Biggest myth?

“Kids should already know how to behave.”

We don’t punish kids for not knowing fractions. The same goes for behavior.
And yep — it’s backed by IDEA + ESSA law.

PBIS = Teach, not punish. 📚✨

Save this for your next PTA meeting.

RTI in Middle & High School

It looks different after elementary - and many schools drop it.

- Scheduling challenges: Fitting intervention into 6-period days

- Content-area literacy: RTI for science/social studies comprehension

- Credit recovery vs. RTI: How they differ

- Behavior + academics: When disengagement masks skill gaps

- Transition planning: Using RTI data for post-secondary goals

RTI Roadblocks: ‘Stuck in Tier 2’

If your child’s been in RTI for 6+ months with no progress, listen up.

• “RTI purgatory” is real — and not okay
• Denied eval? Use this: “Per 34 CFR §300.301(b), I’m requesting a full evaluation”
• Fidelity check: Ask “How often is the group actually meeting?”

CT, TX, and CA all do RTI differently. Check your state department of education guidance.

Who’s On Your RTI Team?
You should know these 5 people by name
• Teacher: Runs Tier 1 + collects data
• Interventionist: Delivers Tier 2/3
• School Psych: Helps interpret data, doesn’t just test
• Admin: Makes sure there’s time/staff for interventions
• YOU: Parents are required team members. Show up.
Not sure who to email?
Start with the classroom teacher + interventionist

RTI for Behavior: It’s Not Just ‘Bad Kids:

Behavior RTI = PBIS. And it works when done right

• Tier 1: Clear school-wide rules. “Be Safe, Be Kind, Be Responsible”

• Tier 2: Check-In/Check-Out, social skills groups, mentor

• Tier 3: FBA + BIP — a detective report for behavior, plus a plan

Data here = office referrals, point sheets, not just “teacher opinion”

RTI for Reading: The 80% Case:

80% of RTI referrals are for reading. Here’s why

• Science of Reading + RTI: Tier 1 = phonics for all. Tier 2 = targeted decoding/fluency groups

• Dyslexia red flags: Trouble with rhyming, letter sounds, family history

• At home: Read with them 15 min/day — don’t drill what they’re learning in Tier 2

Ask your school which screener they use: DIBELS, AIMSweb, or FastBridge?

RTI vs IEP vs 504 — No More Confusion:

Yes, your child can have RTI and an IEP at the same time

• RTI: General ed help, no legal rights, anyone can get it

• 504: Civil rights law, accommodations for disability

• IEP: Special ed law, specialized instruction + services

School can’t say “we need more RTI data” to delay your eval request. You can ask anytime.