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Preschool aged children's social and emotional adjustment impacts their behavior across settings. Providing high-quality early intervention services that enhance social and emotional skills can help prepare children for formal schooling and improve social and behavioral outcomes. The summer prior to Kindergarten presents a unique opportunity for community-based settings to implement social and emotional learning initiatives. One program that has been found to be efficacious in increasing social and emotional competence and reducing problem behaviors with younger populations is the Preschool Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (Preschool PATHS) program. The purpose of this study was to examine implementation fidelity and social validity of the Preschool PATHS program offered in a community-based setting in the summer. Findings suggest that agency staff can independently implement the Preschool PATHS program with fidelity. Furthermore, ratings revealed that the intervention is socially valid and deemed acceptable by agency staff. The results are presented along with implications for future practice.

The present study examined the transition component of the Individualized Education Program for 62 secondary students with autism. Plans were coded using a rubric adapted from Indicator 13 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Findings indicated a mean plan score of 10.5 out of 20.0, with a range of 3.0 to 20.0. Strengths were noted in Transition Services, with Course of Study and Transition Assessment as areas of relative need. Student characteristics--including adaptive behavior, IQ, and self-determination--were associated with components of transition plan quality. Plan quality differences were found based on diploma status and the quality of the school environment. Implications for supporting educators in writing and implementing quality transition planning are discussed.

Professional development is necessary to support and empower teachers in meeting the high stakes demands of mathematics teaching and to ensure equitable, accessible, and high-quality instruction for all students. Using the Interconnected Model of Professional Growth, we designed and implemented a longitudinal, multi-faceted professional development project for teams of elementary general education and special education educators to enhance instruction in their inclusive elementary mathematics classrooms. Focused on high-quality mathematics tasks and co-teaching models, we explored changes in both instructional and collaborative practices. Findings indicated statistically significant increases in educators' mathematics content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge. Additionally, statistically significant improvements in observed teacher facilitation, student engagement, and co-teaching practices were found. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

This article provides a preliminary report on the construct validity and internal consistency of the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills Class Assessment (SELS-CA), which is the accompanying measurement tool of the SEL curriculum "Open Circle." This validation was part of a larger implementation and evaluation study using "Open Circle" programming to evaluate its effect on the SEL skill acquisition of elementary students enrolled in a large public urban school in the Southeastern U.S. (McDaniel et al., 2022). We examined the reliability and validity of the SELS-CA based on 247 teacher ratings of students in the second through fifth grade. Factor analytic procedures revealed a robust three-factor structure, resulting in three subscales, subsequently titled Strategies for Emotional/Behavioral Regulation, Cooperative Behaviors, and Prosocial Skills. SELS-CA total scores revealed strong internal consistency, with adequate internal consistency noted for the three resultant subscales. Limitations and future research needs are discussed, as are implications for research and practice in school settings.

In the past several years, social and emotional learning (SEL) has become a widely discussed and more frequently addressed area of need in schools. SEL curricula can enhance behavioral practices at the universal tier to be able to comprehensively address the social, emotional, and behavioral needs in school buildings. With the COVID-19 pandemic, these SEL needs have become more pronounced. This case example presents a pilot evaluation of the "Open Circle" SEL curriculum implementation, delivered universally, at Tier 2 for all students. Universal SEL instruction was conducted weekly across an entire elementary school in the southeastern United States which had other universal, preventative strategies in place. Across the year, pre- and post-implementation teacher ratings of student SEL skills and teacher perceptions of school climate and school-level descriptive outcomes (e.g., academic achievement, office discipline referrals, attendance) were evaluated. Results indicated that the universal SEL implementation yielded differential effectiveness noted by grade level, with the intervention being more effective in increasing prosocial skills for third grade students. There were also moderate improvements in teacher perceptions of school climate and the school-level variables across grade levels. Implications for future research and practice are presented.

When we think about the issues currently confronted by those who work in schools, stress and burnout among teachers and other practitioners is recognized as a widespread concern due to the adverse effects on students, schools, and communities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of job stress on the experienced burnout of teachers, and to examine the variability in burnout attributable to a specific psychological resource, namely, an individual's work-related sense of coherence (Work-SoC). A descriptive, cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data collected through an online survey from 231 primary and secondary school teachers in the United States. Results from correlational and regression analyses demonstrate that two forms of work stress--perceived quantity and perceived quality--are important predictors of burnout. Further, Work-SoC contributes to variability in teacher burnout even after accounting for perceived work and life stress, suggesting its important role in buffering teachers from the experience of burnout. Implications for practitioners for reducing teacher stress and burnout are discussed.

This research project's initial purpose was to explore how Black youth who had been assigned to youth detention centers described their experiences with school-based racism, and how those experiences informed their experiences with school discipline prior to being detained in a correctional facility. Guided by the following research questions, (1) How do correctional facility-detained Black youth describe their experiences with racism in public schooling? and (2) How do these experiences shape their understandings of racism, relative to themselves and others?, the researchers found that there was consistent contradiction in the ways that youth described their personal experiences and the ways that they interpreted their contexts and circumstances. As they narrativized experiences, they readily considered White Supremacy in individual school experiences, but when asked to explore systemic racism, they instead blamed themselves in what Ladson-Billings and Tate describe as 'self-condemnation.'

Coping Power (CP) is an evidence-based intervention that reduces externalizing behaviors in students who are identified as aggressive or disruptive. CP is based on a cognitive-behavioral model and involves child-focused group sessions and parent-focused sessions. A large body of research has demonstrated the effectiveness of CP, but to date there has not been a systematic review or meta-analysis of published CP studies. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to conduct a systematic review examining the characteristics, methodological rigor, and social validity of CP studies and to conduct a selective meta-analysis to examine the effects of CP across studies and to identify potential moderators of intervention effectiveness. The 21 studies included in the review indicate that the CP intervention is supported by rigorous research, effectively reduces maladaptive behavior, and has demonstrated multiple indicators of social validity. A selective meta-analysis of 12 studies indicates that CP has resulted in small to moderate reductions in externalizing behavior, although these findings were not statistically significant. Intervention dosage, agent, and parent/caregiverparticipation did not moderate effects. Limitations, implications for future research, and recommendations for clinical practice are provided.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a prevention-oriented multitiered system of support. In this article, we discuss how PBIS implementation might be different for schools in rural settings. We used two subsamples of an extant data set of 11,561 schools in 44 U.S. states reporting on PBIS implementation fidelity during the 2018-19 school year. We examined PBIS implementation in rural and nonrural settings using a subsample of 6,631 schools during their first five years of PBIS implementation (2014-15 to 2018-19 school years). Further, we used a subsample of 2,266 schools to examine differences in implementation for rural schools, specifically (n = 1,215) in their first five years of PBIS implementation (2014-15 to 2018-19) compared to rural schools (n = 1,051) implementing six or more years (2000-01 to 2013-14). Rural schools differ from other school locales in the implementation of Tiers 2 and 3 systems during initial implementation. When examining the implementation in rural schools implementing PBIS for five or fewer years to those implementing for six years or more, those implementing longer had higher scores at Tiers 2 and 3. Practical implications across all three tiers, special education, and rural locales are presented.

The COVID-19 global pandemic left many educators making an emergency transition to remote instruction when schools were initially closed. Although this transition was likely difficult for most students, it may have been particularly difficult for students with emotional or behavioral disorders, who have complex and resource-intensive social, emotional, and behavioral needs. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which special educators and related service providers felt they were able to meet those needs in the context of the pandemic occurring in the Spring of 2020. Results indicated respondents' perceptions of their ability to meet students' needs and implement their students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) were moderated by policies on remote instruction and students' access to technology. In addition, respondents suggested district- and school-level response strategies, professional development on remote instruction, access to the internet at home, and additional technology would be helpful in future school closures. Implications and limitations are discussed.

Targeted Tier 2 interventions are critical to supporting students with challenging behavior and decreasing the resources associated with highly individualized and intense interventions. This study extends findings from recent single-case design studies and case example applications of the Tier 2 Identification and Intervention framework with the first large-scale evaluation of school-level outcomes following district implementation. We employed a pretest-posttest design within one large urban school district (N = 23,042 students) to evaluate school-level discipline outcomes for elementary schools who received training and coaching on the Tier 2 framework. Fidelity (i.e., Tiered Fidelity Inventory) and school-level demographics (e.g., poverty status, race) were entered as covariates into the generalized linear models. Results indicated statistically significant decreases in office discipline referrals and in-school suspensions for schools with adequate Tier 2 fidelity. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

In this descriptive study, we analyzed survey data regarding communication, instruction, and assessment strategies school personnel in K-12 settings reported using during the COVID-19 pandemic for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). Results indicate, whether instructional continuity was mandated or not, support personnel serving students with EBD reported using a variety of communication, instruction, and assessment strategies. Several strategies special educators reported using were significantly different than those provided by related service providers (e.g., school psychologist, counselor) during school site closures. Implications for future planning, policy, and research are discussed.

Bullying in schools contributes to peer conflict, disruptive behavior, internalized victimization, and many other deleterious outcomes for students. This study examined the integration of a schoolwide bullying prevention intervention in a pre/post design comparing grade level aggregated data for elementary, middle, and high school across two timepoints. Results demonstrate that differences in response to bullying prevention occur across the two time points for each grade level. The greatest positive change was found for middle school students, indicating that bullying prevention could most effectively be delivered in middle school. Lack of significant changes may indicate that interventions may require more than one year, that the baseline scores were too high to detect significant change, or measures were not sensitive enough to detect change.

Teachers who work with students with targeted, co-occurring academic and behavior differences require the knowledge, tools, and support for effective interventions across both domains. This article provides a research-informed, three-step process to support teachers in designing and implementing integrated targeted interventions for mathematics and self-monitoring needs in an elementary, co-taught classroom. This strategic approach includes: (a) screening and diagnostic assessment, (b) delivering academic and behavioral strategies and interventions, and (c) monitoring progress to inform instructional decisions. A case example of a second-grade classroom during supplemental small group linear measurement instruction and self-monitoring integrated Tier 2 intervention is provided for context.

Educational inequities leading to deleterious outcomes and related to discipline continue within racially and ethnically diverse schools for a myriad of reasons. Districts and schools require deliberate planning and systems change prioritized by educational administrators to address both interpersonal and structural racism and biases. This article outlines a blueprint that leverages the positive behavioral interventions and supports framework in completion of the following: (a) code of conduct revisions, (b) data analysis, (c) cultural and implicit bias awareness, and (d) culturally responsive hiring, training, and teaching.

As schools expand access to technology devices and internet connectivity improves throughout the United States, educators can utilize technology for continuity of instruction during school disruptions (e.g., out-of-school suspension, catastrophes, disasters, or illnesses). Remote learning provides students with instruction outside of the physical school setting or outside of the student's typical classroom (e.g., in-school suspension). Because most guidance and existing instructional practices for remote learning focus on academic domains and face-to-face instruction, this article focuses specifically on leveraging technology for remote learning to support four social, emotional, and behavioral practices: (a) building relationships, (b) establishing expectations, (c) promoting engagement, and (d) making choices. Options are provided for remote instructional practices for synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid modalities.

We assessed the effects of a whole-school equity intervention implemented within a school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) framework on racial inequities in school discipline in eight elementary schools with inequitable referrals for Black students. The intervention involved assessing patterns of racial disparities in school discipline decisions and providing professional development on adapting school-wide behavior systems to improve cultural responsiveness through concrete strategies targeting the patterns. After consent and matching on existing levels of racial inequities, half of the schools were randomly assigned to receive the intervention. Analyses showed that schools receiving the intervention had significant decreases in racial disparities in school discipline and rates of office discipline referrals (ODRs) for Black students, while control schools had minimal change. Results are discussed in terms of improving equity in school discipline within multitiered systems of support.

With the emergence of interventions shown to reduce school discipline disparities, it is important to explore what variables influence educators to implement these approaches. In-depth interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 21 educators asked to describe their experiences implementing an equity-focused Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) intervention. A qualitative method called the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique was used to generate 22 representative categories from 241 observable incidents reported. Findings included 14 helping categories, four hindering categories, and four categories describing what could have made implementing the intervention easier. Implications for enhancing educators' use of equity-focused disciplinary approaches are discussed along with current research, theory, and consultation models. [For the corresponding grantee submission, see ED612671.]

This quasi-experimental pilot study examined the use of the Preschool Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) curriculum during the summer prior to kindergarten entry for preschool-age children. The purpose of the study was to examine if participation in the summer Preschool PATHS curriculum would lead to increased levels of social-emotional competence for the participating children, particularly as they prepared to transition into formal school settings. Preliminary results of pilot data indicate positive outcomes for preschool-age children participating in the intervention. These preliminary results suggest that the Preschool PATHS curriculum could potentially be delivered immediately prior to school enter with the potential for promoting competencies and strengths to put young children on a path toward a positive trajectory as they start school. Limitations of the study are discussed as well as practical implications and future research needs.

The purpose of Tier 2 positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) is to address identified social, emotional, and behavioral needs with efficient, targeted interventions. Although only 10% to 15% of each school's population will require Tier 2 supports, without effective systems, practices, and data, students will continue to demonstrate unwanted behavior, which may lead to increased rates of exclusionary discipline (e.g., office discipline referrals and suspension). This article extends the logic of Tier 1 PBIS, which is founded in systems, practices, and data, by addressing research related to implementation issues of systems, practices, and data in Tier 2. First, we present current research and practice in systems with a specific focus on Tier 2 teaming, resources, and professional development (i.e., initial training and coaching). Second, we discuss Tier 2 practices and the need to consider intervention matching, as well as initial and in vivo intervention adaptations to improve acceptability and effectiveness. Third, we present Tier 2 data considerations for informing intervention design, progress monitoring, and treatment fidelity. Across Tier 2 systems, practices, and data, we offer recommendations for future research.

Positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based framework for preventing and treating challenging behavior in schools and improving overall school climate. The efficacy of this positive, proactive framework has been well established across varying school settings, yet little is known about schoolwide PBIS implementation and sustainability in high-need school contexts. This qualitative study investigated perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to implementing and sustaining PBIS in high-need schools from the perspectives of four stakeholders. A semistructured focus group was conducted with stakeholders from high-need schools with experience in implementing PBIS. Four key categories were identified: (a) perceptions of PBIS outcomes, (b) challenges, (c) additional supports, and (d) suggestions for improving PBIS in high-need schools. Practical implications and next steps are discussed.

In efforts to improve outcomes for students, state education agencies have developed systems of school improvement to identify and provide support for schools that have persistently low educational outcomes, often those with majority-Black student populations. However, such efforts have generally been ineffective in turning schools around. This article describes the effects of implementing a year-long professional development series of four full days of training based on a school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) framework with an explicit focus on equity in school discipline. Results from this quasi-experimental study showed statistically significant improvements in school outcomes, including exclusionary discipline and school climate as compared with similar, nonparticipating schools. Findings are discussed in terms of using PBIS for school improvement.

Schoolwide positive behavior interventions and supports (SWPBIS) is a three-tiered framework for preventing and addressing challenging behavior and improving school climate. SWPBIS requires ongoing coaching and consultation to ensure implementation fidelity and improve the efficiency and efficacy of data-based decision making and problem-solving processes. While many schools across the United States have district or school-level SWPBIS coaches in this role, many rural school districts do not have the funds or local expertise of a SWPBIS coach. To address this gap in a much-needed role, we examined the use of a teleconsultation model, as a substitute for in-person monthly SWPBIS coaching. This qualitative case study involved semi-structured focus group interviews of SWPBIS team members who received telecoaching. Perceptions regarding SWPBIS in rural settings in general, in addition to specific issues (e.g., barriers and benefits) related to the use of telecoaching were obtained and analyzed.

For many students, placement in an alternative education setting is temporary, and once they make progress, they will be expected to return to their home school setting. An effective transition between settings is essential in order to ensure the student meets the behavioral expectations in the home school and to prevent poor outcomes such as academic failure and major disciplinary infractions. The purpose of this case study was to demonstrate realistic transition planning and processes in an authentic setting. By following a recommended five-part process, one classroom teacher in an alternative education setting implemented individualized transition planning for four elementary school students who were expected to return to their home schools by the end of the school year. Results of the case study reflect that each student experienced a unique process and different outcomes. Individualized planning supports each student's needs and maximizes the likelihood of success for students who meet transition criteria. The transition planning procedures, as well as recommendations for research and practice are discussed.

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders who display disruptive behaviors in general education settings are increasingly being educated in alternative education settings. Alternative education settings can vary widely, but they typically have smaller classroom sizes and educational staff who are trained to teach students who were not successful in their previous educational settings. This Current Topics column provides (a) an introduction to how students are placed in those settings, (b) a description of common alternative educational settings, and (c) an overview of effective educational, behavioral, and mental health services available to children and youth in alternative educational settings.

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) experience some of the poorest outcomes of all students. They are also placed in alternative education (AE) settings more frequently than students in other disability categories. For some of these students, the ultimate goal is to return to the traditional school. A systematic, five-part process provides a framework that begins with planning for transition upon entry to an AE program and proceeds through monitoring student progress after returning to the traditional school. The process allows educators, students, and parents to work as a collaborative team to support youth transitioning from an AE setting to a traditional school.

There is increased focus on narrowing the research-to-practice gap in education for students with autism. Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based and widely implemented framework designed to improve outcomes for all students; however, relatively little attention has focused specifically on using the PBIS framework to guide intervention and assessment for autistic students. This commentary's purpose is to describe the utility of PBIS as a viable school-based model for the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in autism. We aim to demonstrate how EBP for students with autism may be integrated within the PBIS framework, discuss critical concerns for students with autism within this model, and provide suggestions for future research and practice on improving educators' capacity to implement EBP for this student population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Afterschool programs such as tutoring and school-based or community-based programs have effectively functioned as prevention and intervention programs for children at risk. This literature review focuses on afterschool mentoring programs for children at risk. The purpose of reviewing the literature was to (a) determine the breadth and scope of the literature base, (b) identify program features, and (c) synthesize information to inform practical considerations. A systematic review process yielded 10 articles that met the criteria and were reviewed for (a) mentee characteristics, (b) mentor characteristics, (c) program components, (d) program evaluation procedures, (e) program type, and (f) type of research. Results are discussed in terms of program features and practical implications based on the findings of the review.

Rural school districts are unique educational settings requiring efficient use of resources. Barriers to high-quality educational practices in rural settings include the distance from professional development expertise and limited funding. To address these potential obstacles for implementing School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, we utilized telecoaching for providing monthly technical assistance. Results of this case study indicate that telecoaching in a rural school district across 1 academic year may be an effective alternative for in-person coaching. Descriptive statistics including implementation fidelity, discipline and attendance outcomes, and telecoaching treatment integrity are presented. Implications for practice and future directions are discussed.

Teacher self-efficacy and teaching practices are both related to effective teaching and learning of mathematics. Given the theoretical and empirical basis for the importance of teacher self-efficacy, we hypothesized that teacher reported self-efficacy would be positively related to teacher self-reported effective teaching practices. This study examined the self-reported construct data across in-service educator grade level (i.e., elementary and secondary) and educator position (i.e., general education or special education) to determine the associations of constructs and the potential for differences between groups. Correlations between self-efficacy and teacher practices in-service teachers were analyzed using Kendall's Tau. A Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance was used to analyze the three participant groups (general education: elementary, general education: secondary, and special education) for the teacher self-efficacy and self-reported teaching practices constructs. Similarities and differences among the relationships between educator grade level, educator position, self-efficacy, and teaching practices are discussed. In addition, implications for future research and professional development with educators are outlined.

Tier 2 social behavioral interventions are designed to support up to 15% of the school population; as such, they must be efficient and effective. The purpose of this article is to propose an adaptive, responsive approach to the implementation of social behavioral Tier 2 interventions, considering both core components and malleable features to increase the likelihood of improved student outcomes. We describe horizontal adaptations, which are based on student characteristics and contextual factors, as well as vertical adaptations, which are based on data indicating a student's response (or nonresponse) to intervention. These adaptations are discussed within the context of previous research on three commonly implemented Tier 2 interventions: check- in/check-out, self-management strategies, and social skills training.

Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS) is a preventative and responsive three-tiered framework comprised of a continuum of evidence-based practices and interventions. Adaptation, or tailoring is a critical component to the PBIS system, as it is not intended to be a standard treatment protocol, particularly at the Tier 2 level. Tier 2 interventions require fidelity to core ingredients that make the intervention effective but issues still arise concerning the targeted intervention's implementation, student response, intensity need, and social validity that inform the tailoring of interventions at Tier 2. Currently, there is no clear protocol for adapting Tier 2 intervention. The purpose of this paper is guide implementers with the adaptation process by providing descriptions and examples of possible intervention adaptations based on (1) student characteristics, (2) intervention characteristics, and (3) setting characteristics.

For more than 20 years, the schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports (SWPBIS) literature base has been growing as it relates to implementation and sustainability across various settings and grade levels. While the research is clear that SWPBIS is an effective multitiered framework, gaps in the literature exist. Specifically, the extent to which SWPBIS has been implemented in traditionally underrepresented schools has yet to be fully examined. This systematic review of the SWPBIS literature base resulted in 46 articles that were coded across 13 variables. The number of articles highlight underrepresentation in the SWPBIS literature. Researchers demonstrated variable (a) reductions in rates of disciplinary infractions and exclusionary responses, (b) implementation with fidelity, and (c) positive student outcomes across academics, attendance, and achievement.