Evaluating a School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports Program For
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Title Page Evaluating a School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports Program for System Improvement by Jamie Lusebrink Bachelor of Science, The Pennsylvania State University, 2004 Master of Education, University of Pittsburgh, 2012 Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the School of Education in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education University of Pittsburgh 2021 COMMITTEE PAGE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF EDUCATION This dissertation was presented by Jamie Lusebrink It was defended on April 15, 2021 and approved by Dr. Keith Trahan, Visiting Assistant Professor of Practice, Educational Foundations, Organization, and Policy Dr. Janet Sardon, Superintendent, Yough School District Dissertation Director: Dr. Diane L. Kirk, Clinical Associate Professor, Teaching, Leading, and Learning ii Copyright © by Jamie Lusebrink 2021 iii Abstract Evaluating a School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports Program for System Improvement Jamie Lusebrink, EdD University of Pittsburgh, 2021 The place of inquiry implemented a School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (SWPBIS) plan in 2016 with the goal of building a positive organizational climate while reducing the number of discipline infractions and office referrals. Although interventions and supports have been in place since the original implementation of the SWPBIS programming, suspensions and office referrals continue to occur at an alarming rate, particularly in third through fifth grades. These suspensions were creating gaps in learning for students due to the loss of instructional time without effectively addressing the behaviors to reduce further occurrences. This mixed methods study evaluated the current School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (SWPBIS) programming and implementation at the building of inquiry against best practices based on a state-wide model of SWPBIS with the purpose to make recommendations for improvement. These best practices include leadership commitment, resource deployment, collaboration, ongoing staff development, and data-based decision making. The research included a survey of 20 participants, four focus groups of 16 participants, and five individual interviews with staff who teach grades three through five. The survey results indicated that families were not involved in the PBIS programming, there is not a plan for professional development of staff throughout the year, new students are not properly informed of the PBIS program, and the referral system is not used appropriately. The focus groups indicated the rewards being offered are not appealing to students and the staff would like more feedback iv from the office referral data in addition to the office referral system being revamped. The interviews provided historical data as well as reiterated information similar to that of the survey and focus groups. After considering the key findings from the survey, focus groups, and individual interviews, the researcher proposed six changes: involving students in the selection of rewards, surveying students for feedback, providing orientation for new students on the PBIS programming to address the transient population, involving the families and community in the current and future PBIS programming, improving the referral system based on teacher recommendations, and reporting data out to the teachers during booster sessions for staff. v Table of Contents Preface ......................................................................................................................................... xiii 1.0 Problem Statement .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Operational Definitions ................................................................................................ 10 2.0 Review of Literature ............................................................................................................. 12 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 12 2.2 Multi-tiered Support Systems ..................................................................................... 13 2.2.1 Response to Instruction and Intervention (RTII) ...........................................15 2.2.2 School-Wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) ..............16 2.3 Effective PBIS Models .................................................................................................. 17 2.3.1 A State-Level Model ...........................................................................................18 2.3.1.1 Leadership Commitment ...................................................................... 18 2.3.1.2 Resource Deployment ............................................................................ 18 2.3.1.3 Collaboration .......................................................................................... 19 2.3.1.4 Ongoing Staff Development .................................................................. 20 2.3.1.5 Data-Based Decision Making ................................................................ 20 2.3.2 A National Model ...............................................................................................21 2.3.2.1 Data-Based Decision Making ................................................................ 22 2.3.2.2 Team-Based Coordination .................................................................... 22 2.3.2.3 Fidelity and Integrity of Implementation ............................................ 23 2.3.2.4 Regular Universal Screening, Continuous Progress Monitoring and Continuum of Evidence-based Interventions .................................................. 23 vi 2.3.3 A Model for Evaluation .....................................................................................24 3.0 Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 26 3.1 Archived Data Review .................................................................................................. 26 3.1.1 District Demographic Data ...............................................................................26 3.1.2 School Demographic Data .................................................................................28 3.2 Survey ............................................................................................................................ 32 3.2.1 Survey Participants ............................................................................................32 3.2.2 Survey Design .....................................................................................................32 3.2.3 Data Collection ...................................................................................................33 3.2.4 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................34 3.3 Focus Groups ................................................................................................................ 35 3.3.1 Focus Group Participants .................................................................................35 3.3.2 Semi-Structured Interviews ..............................................................................36 3.3.3 Data Collection ...................................................................................................36 3.3.4 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................38 3.4 Individual Interviews ................................................................................................... 39 3.4.1 Data Collection ...................................................................................................39 3.4.2 Data Analysis ......................................................................................................40 4.0 Results .................................................................................................................................... 41 4.1 Surveys ........................................................................................................................... 42 4.1.1 Participant Demographics .................................................................................44 4.1.2 Survey Responses ...............................................................................................45 4.1.2.1 Leadership Commitment ...................................................................... 46 vii 4.1.2.2 Resource Deployment ............................................................................ 48 4.1.2.3 Collaboration .......................................................................................... 54 4.1.2.4 Staff Development .................................................................................. 57 4.1.2.5 Data-Based Decision Making ................................................................ 62 4.2 Focus Groups ................................................................................................................ 65 4.2.1 Participant Demographics .................................................................................66 4.2.2 What Are the Strengths of the Current PBIS Program? ...............................67 4.2.3 What Are the Weaknesses of the Current PBIS Program? ...........................68 4.2.4 What Are Your