Integrating pro-environmental behaviors into school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports for creating green schools.

This article focuses on integrating pro-environmental behaviors into School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SW-PBIS) to create green schools that effectively address climate change. SW-PBIS is a three-tiered, evidence-based framework traditionally used to prevent problem behaviors and promote positive social outcomes in schools, but it currently lacks sustainability-related expectations. The authors propose expanding SW-PBIS by adding a "Be Green" expectation, supported by explicit instruction, reinforcement, and data-driven monitoring, to foster inclusive pro-environmental behaviors such as waste reduction, recycling, energy and water conservation, and sustainable transportation. The framework emphasizes leadership team formation, staff buy-in, environmental organization, and tiered behavioral supports tailored to student needs, aiming to cultivate responsible students who contribute to greener school environments and communities. Future research is encouraged to evaluate the effectiveness of this integrated approach across different school levels and contexts.