University students with increased rates of reported perfectionism, anxiety, and depression, are vulnerable to non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, not all students with psychological distress engage in NSSI, suggesting protective factors may help to mitigate this risk. The present study examined the relation between perfectionism and NSSI,…

The focus of this doctoral project was to investigate the implementation of a new behavioral management system, Positive Behaviors Intervention and Support (PBIS), by the teaching staff in grades K-6 at a specific school. The aim of PBIS is to create a consistent set of behavior expectations across the entire campus, rather than just within…

Health messaging can be a successful tool in encouraging pro-social behavior, such as bystander intervention in sexual violence situations. This dissertation explored the development of a social media message to encourage bystander intervention among college students using multiple theoretical frameworks: social norms approach and bystander…

The qualitative case study explores the experiences and perceptions of elementary school teachers' implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) for behavioral management in their classrooms. The study addresses the increasing issue of behavioral problems affecting instruction and academic outcomes in the classroom. By…

What do teachers perceive to be the impact of positive behavior management systems on supporting teachers, students, and families? This research investigated the implementation and impact of school-wide positive behavior support systems as a crucial approach to addressing behavior challenges and supporting both teachers and students. Recognizing…

The Every Student Succeeds Act was passed in 2015, requiring schools to choose an accountability measure to accompany standardized achievement assessments. This act charges schools to educate students on academic standards and address the whole student socially and emotionally. One climate variable not widely studied in America is students' sense…

Despite the existence of various special education laws and mandates aimed at protecting the rights of students with learning disabilities (LD), these students tend to be removed from the classroom setting at disproportionate rates and durations when compared to students without disabilities. The purpose of this interpretive phenomenology was to…

This study examines whether Positive Behavior Interventions can support student performance in schools in three Southern districts. Schools today seek opportunities for interventions to support student behaviors and increase engagement. Three school districts in the southeast of the United States have been trained to implement a schoolwide…

Exploring Teachers' Perceptions of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Its Impact on Student Academic Achievement in Elementary Schools" investigates the gap in understanding how elementary teachers perceive PBIS's effectiveness in boosting student academic performance amidst behavioral challenges. This phenomenological…

Disruptive behaviors are some of the most difficult behaviors for teachers to address in schools. They can take multiple forms in the classroom, and can impact the student displaying them, as well the rest of the learning environment in terms of academic engagement. Disruptive behaviors are believed to be displayed by students for the purpose of…

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of two virtual prerecorded trainings. Training 1 is a three-hour training titled "Basics of Classroom Behavior Management." Training 2 is a 10-hour training titled "Behavior Reduction." Evidence of implementation was confirmed by direct observations of teacher and student…

Focus groups and interviews can help to determine teachers' perspectives on classroom management. The problem with special education in the United States is that teachers are not prepared for specific classroom challenges, and their perceptions of classroom management have not been thoroughly documented. Gaps in the literature included teachers'…

The number of credentialed behavior analysts has been growing exponentially as the field tries to keep up with the demand for credentialed professionals. As the field continues to grow and expand, behavior analysts have found higher demand for their expertise not only in clinical settings but school settings as well. There is little information…

Urban elementary school teachers face many challenges in the classroom. Addressing challenging student behaviors is one of these challenges. Challenging student behaviors, which include disruptive behaviors such as noncompliance and verbal aggression, can impede student engagement, and if students are not engaged, their learning is stymied.…

Undesirable behavior happens in schools and has often been punished by suspending and expelling students who misbehave. Exclusionary practices like these deprive students of educational opportunity and have not been shown to improve behavior or school climate. Negative consequences include the school to prison pipeline, which refers to a…