Young students starting school for the first time (e.g., kindergarteners) often benefit from more than typical intensity of behavioral support. Learning new social expectations, routines, and interaction patterns can be daunting. This is an important concern for schools implementing positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS). Learning a…

The purpose of this study was to synthesize the literature in support of training teachers to use behavior-specific praise, which is a strategy used to reduce students' disruptive and off-task behavior as well as prevent students' problem behaviors from occurring. The results of 28 single-case studies examining the effectiveness of training…

In this era of accountability, evidenced-based practice, and response to intervention, it behooves school social workers to identify and implement theory-informed and research-supported interventions to address school-level struggles that negatively impact school success for at-risk students. To that end, school social workers need to develop the…

This evidence-based practice overview on Parent Implemented Intervention (PII) includes the following components: (1) Overview: A quick summary of salient features of the practice, including what it is, who it can be used with, what skills it has been used with, and settings for instruction; (2) Evidence-base: The "PII Evidence-base"…

Investigated the efficacy of positive behavior support (PBS) prevention/early intervention strategies on the rate of problem behavior displayed by elementary schools students during recess. Specifically, this study examined the effects of directly teaching playground-related behaviors and the use of a group contingency to reinforce mastery in an…

Elementary Options (EO) is a behavior support program in rural southeast Idaho for students in grades K-5 with emotional or behavioral difficulties. Instead of imposing curriculum or classroom strategies, EO works in conjunction with the Department of Health and Welfare to offer a systematic approach to managing problem behaviors with existing…

Provides practical advice about the methods to prevent reading failure that is grounded in the new knowledge that has been acquired about reading and learning to read over the past two decades. Concludes with a discussion of issues and procedures for the early identification of children who are likely to experience difficulties learning to read.…

The Autism Research Institute says autism-like disorders affect 15 out of 10,000 children. Cases are climbing in schools, partly due to expanded diagnostic codes (see sidebar). Autistic children are often misdiagnosed as having attention-deficit, learning, or emotional disorders. Schools can help by providing good teachers and early intervention.…

Evaluates the methodological quality of 39 studies of phonological-awareness interventions in children. Finds only seven studies met two-thirds or more of all the evaluative criteria (internal and external validity), although all of these investigations demonstrated at least one fatal flaw. Suggests improvements for future intervention research.…

This article describes the two basic versions of the responsiveness-to-intervention (RTI) approach for identifying learning disabilities, the problem solving model and the standard-protocol approach. It reviews evidence on effectiveness and feasibility and concludes that more needs to be understood before RTI may be viewed as a valid…

This book summarizes the experiences of nurture groups (small special education classes started in 1970 in London schools), where young children from disadvantaged environments are prepared to access the full primary school curriculum. Chapter 1, "Children at Risk of Failure in Primary Schools" (Marion Bennathan), discusses the incidence…

Forty second and third grade children identified by their teachers as aggressive were randomly assigned to a child problem solving skills training (PSST) or teacher consultation. PSST consisted of 20 45-minute sessions of three to five children, held twice weekly at school. Teacher consultation involved four 30-minute individual sessions.…

The contributions in this volume grew out of a conference at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 1989. They examine issues that promote a longer range perspective on preventing disabling conditions and intervening early in the lives of children with disabilities. The range of preventable disabling conditions, perinatal influences on…

This monograph examines issues of school safety, focusing on the prevention/early intervention end of the continuum of services and on elementary and middle-school age children and youth. It highlights preventive measures schools can take to implement a proactive school-wide system of discipline to ensure school safety. Emphasis is on creating…

First Step to Success is used at the outset of a child's school career, when making changes in antisocial behavior is easiest. The short-term program provides positive reinforcement for desirable behaviors and has a home component that draws on parent support. Sidebar profiles programs that promote positive behaviors in older children: Project…