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Action planning

An action plan is a list of steps you take to achieve your goal. The two-part question that we want to answer with different types of data is:

  • "Are we doing what we said we were going to do?"
    • Effort Data "How much, and how often?"
    • Fidelity Data "How well?"
  • "Is it benefiting students and families?"
    • Outcome Data

Effort and Fidelity Action Planning

The Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI) provides a helpful framework to get started with action planning for Tier 1 since it is tied to the core features of evidence-based practices improve school climate for most students without the need for targeted or intensive behavior supports.

Use your TFI data to:

  1. Review items with a "0" or "1"
    • As you look over the possible items for your action plan, consider if committing to one item might improve another item's score.
    • Look at the training scope and sequence. Are there items that you are going to receive training during this cohort session that will address one of the items?
    • Are you already committed to working on some items as a result of action planning you've done previously?
    • Is there a way to embed any item inside of actions you're already taking?
  2. Identify two or three items that your team believes can move up to a "1" or "2" by the next planned TFI date.
    • You may have plenty of items to start building your plan, so it helps to prioritize. Out of the items listed:
      • Are some more pressing than others?
      • How often do you find yourselves talking about issues stemming from any of the items?
      • Is there any low-hanging fruit you could choose in order to build momentum? Which items make you excited to get started?
  3. Use a worksheet like the Tiered Fidelity Inventory TFI Action Plan to identify the action or actions that specific people on the team will do by the timeline that you set.
  4. Check-in at each meeting to see if there is any additional support needed (can be included as a standing agenda item)
    • Any team member can add agenda items ahead of the meeting as long as the items relate to action planning. "Time box" each agenda item and agree to stick to the schedule to keep the meeting moving.;
    • Decide on an action plan template that works for you. There are so many to choose from; it doesn't matter which one you choose so long as the template gives you space to include:
      • The item you're working on
      • The tasks associated with the item
      • Who will complete the task
      • A date when each task should be complete

Outcome Action Planning

Once you get experience with action planning using effort and fidelity data through a tool like the TFI, look for ways to connect those action items with outcome data.

If you are not yet at fidelity, can you take care of two types of data at the same time?

For example, is TFI Item 1.4 "Teaching Expectations" at a "0" or "1", and you know the Hallway is a location with lots of problem behaviors? If an action item is to reteach your expectations in non-classroom settings, create an action item to start with the hallway first.

If you are at or near implementation fidelity, are you ready to precision problem-solve student outcomes?

There are many different types of data systems available to track behavior. The most important features for making decisions are the ability to:

  1. Review school-wide referral patterns: Five basic reports should help teams answer these questions:
    1. How often do referrals occur?
    2. What problem behaviors occur most frequently in our building?
    3. Where are problem behaviors most likely to occur?
    4. When are problem behaviors most likely to occur?
    5. Which students are involved in referrals?
  2. Define behavior patterns in greater detail: Specific questions about overall school-wide patterns, like disproportionality by race or ethnicity, detailed information about individual students for targeted and intensive supports, and year-end reports to guide action planning and celebrate your efforts by sharing with others.

Schools that are part of PBIS cohort training through the Regional Implementation Projects have the option to use School-Wide Information System (SWIS) free of charge during their two years of training, if they feel like their student information system is not yet built to be a decision system. For more information about SWIS plus a Demo click here.

SWIS has features like a Drill Down tool that can be used to develop more targeted behavior supports and practices for improved student outcomes, or precision problem-solving. You can use the following Drill Down worksheet provided here by SWIS with your existing decision system at no-cost, or feel free to share it with your student information system provider as a guide to add the features that you need.

For more information on getting a student outcome decision system set up for your school, contact your Minnesota PBIS RIP for more information.

Portions adapted from the PBISApps "Teach by Design" article found here