A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Effectiveness Trial Assessing School-Wide Positive Behavior Support in Elementary Schools

TLDR

The study evaluates the effectiveness of school‑wide positive behavior support in elementary schools through a randomized wait‑list controlled trial. The trial provided training and technical assistance in SWPBS by state personnel over three years to schools in Hawaii and Illinois. Results indicate that the training improved SWPBS implementation, increased perceived school safety, and raised the proportion of third graders meeting state reading standards, while office discipline referrals remained low but could not be attributed to SWPBS due to lack of experimental control.

Abstract

We report a randomized, wait-list controlled trial assessing the effects of school-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS). An effectiveness analysis was conducted with elementary schools in Hawaii and Illinois where training and technical assistance in SWPBS was provided by regular state personnel over a 3-year period. Results document that the training and technical assistance were functionally related to improved implementation of universal-level SWPBS practices. Improved use of SWPBS was functionally related to improvements in the perceived safety of the school setting and the proportion of third graders meeting or exceeding state reading assessment standards. Results also document that levels of office discipline referrals were comparatively low, but the absence of experimental control for this variable precludes inference about the impact of SWPBS. Implications for future research directions are offered.