The topic of focus in this study was the implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) with fidelity. The problem addressed was that PBIS strategies were not being consistently and effectively implemented for students diagnosed with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. The purpose of this descriptive, qualitative study was to…

The presence of School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) in the classroom is highly dependent on teacher implementation. However, relatively little research has focused solely on the implementation of SWPBIS components in the classroom environment. This exploratory study utilized an online survey, titled the "SWPBIS…

This study examined the use of a Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS) to promote a positive school culture. PBIS focuses on promoting a positive school culture through behavioral interventions specific to the school, and providing feedback to students to reinforce positive behaviors (Contractor & Staats, 2014). The study focuses on…

This study examined the use of a Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS) to promote a positive school culture. PBIS focuses on promoting a positive school culture through behavioral interventions specific to the school, and providing feedback to students to reinforce positive behaviors (Contractor & Staats, 2014). The study focuses on…

The current study examines the impact of PBIS implementation on teacher self-efficacy (TSE) in elementary schools in Pennsylvania. Research questions evaluate (1) is there a significant difference between elementary teachers' perceptions of self-efficacy in schools implementing PBIS with fidelity and matched comparison schools and (2) what, if…

School-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS) relies on the implementation efforts of frontline service providers such as teachers, administrators, and staff. The full version of the positive behavior interventions and supports--action and commitment tool (PBIS-ACT Full) measures the individual implementer variable of…

Successful social and emotional learning (SEL) programs have established methods with teacher and peer support that improve prosocial behavior. Research has shown intervention programs that incorporate these skills reduce antisocial behaviors, but implementation in schools may vary and therefore affect outcomes. The purpose of this…

The purpose of this project was to examine the effect of the implementation of the Mystery Motivator intervention as an interdependent group contingency to decrease disruptive behavior in an urban eighth-grade general education science classroom. The study was conducted using an A-B changing criterion design. The effectiveness of the intervention…

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), schools have a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in addressing mental health needs in their communities (Sawyer et al., 2021). The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the impact that the utilization of a system approach has on the success and sustainability of teacher…

This pilot feasibility study applies the RE-AIM Implementation Science Framework to examine the implementation and preliminary signals of the effectiveness of integrating the Group-Early Start Denver Model (G-ESDM) in an early childhood education center serving under-resourced communities. Five preschoolers diagnosed with autism, their caregivers,…

Recent legislation through the Every Student Succeeds Act (2015) has implications for school systems across the nation in creating and implementing a multi-tiered system of support. Pennsylvania has its own state legislation that also provides the language for schools to implement an MTSS framework that includes tiered support in academics through…

Background: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette) offers potential to facilitate cigarette smoking cessation, yet potentially increases risk of cigarette smoking initiation. This relationship has been primarily modeled in mathematical ways that often do not represent real-world complexities, which could inform decisions regarding local…

In collaboration with an urban public school, teacher candidates at a nearby university created a social-emotional skills project called Knight Brigade. The author discusses the project planning, implementation, and results as part of this ongoing partnership.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of three types of social cognitive theory (SCT)-based elementary school classroom physical activity (PA) training on teachers' implementation rates, attitudes, knowledge and behaviour. Design: Key stakeholder focus groups informed development of phase II which took the form of a randomised controlled trial of…

Students with or at-risk for emotional and behavioral disorders pose an immense challenge for educators, and typical practices to address them are punitive and exclusionary, leading to poor academic and social outcomes for students. To address the complex needs of students with intensive emotional and behavioral needs, evidence-based practices and…