Positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) is a three-tiered framework shown to improve student behavioral outcomes. There has been considerable investment in scaling up Tier 1 PBIS but less focus on scaling Tier 2 supports. Having greater insight into teachers,' students,' and families' perceptions regarding the social validity of Tier 2…

The effects of transitions impact students across academic levels in many ways. The transition to high school can be a vulnerable time; moreover, it may be an optimal time for preventive interventions. As students matriculate and transition from middle to high school, a concentrated effort must be made to improve the practices to best support…

The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of post-service educators' use of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills with students experiencing emotional dysregulation in a day treatment school. This study extended previous research by examining the perceptions of teachers using DBT skills with students that are demonstrating…

The COVID-19 pandemic and related school closures greatly interfered in students' social, emotional, and academic development creating behavioral struggles after returning to school. This concurrent mixed-methods study examined teacher perceptions of student behavioral change and social-emotional learning (SEL) during the return to in-person…

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore general education teachers' successes and challenges implementing low-intensity behavior management strategies while teaching in a public school setting. Guiding this study was Bernard Weiner's attribution theory, as the theory relates to teachers' perceptions and use of behavior management…

This single qualitative case study explored teacher and parent perceptions of the kindergarten transition program at a small, rural school district in a Midwestern state. Thirteen subjects met the criteria of either being a kindergarten transition teacher or a parent of an incoming kindergarten student and participated in this study. Data was…

We report on a novel mental health classroom consultation program that is guided by psychodynamic principles rather than a scripted curriculum or manualized program. Based on each teacher's needs and existing skills, consultants may divide their time among meeting with teachers, directly intervening with students, referring parents for services,…

Successful social and emotional learning (SEL) programs have established methods with teacher and peer support that improve prosocial behavior. Research has shown intervention programs that incorporate these skills reduce antisocial behaviors, but implementation in schools may vary and therefore affect outcomes. The purpose of this…

Educators have shown reluctance to implement interventions aimed at improving racial equity in school disciplinary practice. Mixed methods were applied to assess and improve the acceptability of a new intervention designed to reduce racial disparities in school discipline. A descriptive concurrent parallel design was used to assess U.S. educators'…

About 1 in 20 K-12 students are suspended from school each year. Students from marginalized groups -- including Black and Latinx students and students with individualized education plans (IEPs) -- experience suspension much more frequently than their peers. Empathic Instruction reduces the racial gaps in suspensions, but it does not close them…

Community School 53 has seen a significant increase in suspension rates over the past five years. The suspension rate in 2018-2019 was 5.04%; during the 2019-2020 school year the rate was 8.11%. There is no data from the school year 2020-2021 due to COVID-19. The suspension rate rose drastically in 2021-2022 to 18.10%, and it was at 17.62% for the…

Understanding general education teachers' experiences with and goals for school-based consultation is warranted to address class-wide and individual student concerns. In a sample of 66 general education teachers, we described their experiences with: (1) informal consultation with colleagues; (2) school team meeting consultation; and (3) ongoing,…

Understanding general education teachers' experiences with and goals for school-based consultation is warranted to address class-wide and individual student concerns. In a sample of 66 general education teachers, we described their experiences with (1) informal consultation with colleagues, (2) school team meeting consultation, and (3) ongoing,…

This qualitative case study investigates teachers' perceptions of the Good Behavior Game (GBG) intervention within the context of a special education school. The primary research question guiding this study is: What are school staff's perceptions of the Good Behavior Game in a special education school? The study employs a qualitative approach,…

The challenge for schools and districts across the country has been tackling issues of equity and inclusion that lead to closing opportunity gaps for students. With this in mind, districts have employed schools to find alternative approaches to discipline. One option districts and school sites have is the use of restorative practices as both…