SCHOOL-WIDE POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS FOR STUDENTS WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS: SWPBIS for Students with EBD
Abstract
This investigation employed a participatory action research method involving school psychology consultants and educators to design and evaluate the impact of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports in a self-contained school serving students with emotional and behavioral disorders. The traditional practices of a universal system, including teaching and acknowledging expected behaviors and responding to disruptive behaviors, were adapted to better accommodate the needs of a more challenging student population. In addition, system-wide practices, including various teaming and professional development strategies, were instituted to promote sustainability. Results, after implementation of Tier 1, showed reductions in the frequency of discipline referrals and the number of emergency safety interventions, with a sustained impact across the next 3 years. Limitations included the lack of experimental control in evaluating the intervention. Discussion includes recommendations for an expanded role for school psychologists in promoting evidence-based practices for high-risk student populations.
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Many schools and school-based professionals that utilize tiered frameworks for academic, behavioral, and social issues also rely heavily on functional analysis and functional behavioral assessment practices to provide individualized student support.
“Many schools and school-based professionals that utilize tiered frameworks for academic, behavioral, and social issues also rely heavily on functional analysis and functional behavioral assessment practices to provide individualized student support (Simonsen and Sugai, 2013; McCurdy et al., 2016).”
From Reconciling Contemporary Approaches to School Attendance and School Absenteeism: Toward Promotion and Nimble Response, Global Policy Review and Implementation, and Future Adaptability (Part 1) (2019) · cites this paper as McCurdy et al., 2016
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- Authors
- McCurdy, B. L., Thomas, L., Truckenmiller, A., Rich, S. H., Hillis-Clark, P., & Lopez, J. C.
- Affiliations
- Devereux (US)
- Florida Center for Reading Research
- Oklahoma State University
- Corresponding author
- McCurdy, Barry L.
- Venue
- Psychology in the Schools
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-02-22
- Volume
- 53
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 375-389
- ISSN
- 0033-3085 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2274848339
- Cited by
- 24
- References
- 26
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 4.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Psychology in the Schools (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
- Social Sciences › Education › Education Discipline and Inequality
- Social Sciences › Law › Legal Issues in Education
- Keywords
- SWPBIS, emotional and behavioral disorders, school psychologists, discipline referrals, professional development, intervention sustainability, evidence-based practice
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