Focused Classroom Coaching and Widespread Racial Equity in School Discipline

We examined the effects of a teacher coaching program on discipline referrals using records from 7,794 U.S. classrooms in secondary schools. Some classroom teachers took part in a trial: They were randomized to receive intensive coaching in a focal classroom or to form a business-as-usual control group. The remaining teachers taught in the same schools as the teachers in the trial. Previous research suggested that the coaching program was associated with increasing equity in discipline referrals in focal, coached classrooms. The current study addressed whether effects found in the teachers’ focal, coached classrooms generalized to diverse classrooms in their course load. Results suggested that the coaching program had no generalized effects on reducing referrals with African American students or racial referral gaps in classrooms with coached teachers, relative to the control teachers and the other teachers in the schools. We offer implications for coaching programs and directions for equity-oriented efforts to reduce racial discipline gaps.

Behavior Assessment

Behavior assessment describes the process of quantifying an operant dimension of student behavior, such that decisions can be made about the need for or effect of interventions. Assessment of behavior is essential to the successful implementation of intervention strategies, with failure of interventions often being attributed to lack of adequate assessment. The chapter describes the four primary purposes of behavioral assessment: universal screening, pre-intervention assessment, progress monitoring, and summative assessment. Next, the chapter describes various methods for assessment of behavior that may be utilized in school settings. Information is provided regarding direct behavior assessment and systematic direct observation, as well as systems for collecting such data on individual students and groups of students. Indirect behavior assessment through interviews, rating scales, office discipline referrals, and direct behavior ratings are also discussed. Finally, issues related to applied use of the described assessment tools are described.

The Use of PBIS in Resolving Ethical Dilemmas Created by Disproportionate Punitive Practice for Students of Color

Disciplinary practices in the K-12 setting have historically shown a higher propensity for harsher punitive practices for students of color. This is evidenced by years of research describing disproportionate disciplinary practices. These disproportionate practices have created an ethical dilemma in our school system, as students of color have experienced higher rates of office discipline referrals, school suspensions, and expulsions. One method used in the school system to address disproportionate punitive practices is positive behavior intervention supports (PBIS). Positive behavior intervention supports is a systematic pro-active and preventative model that uses evidence-based interventions to reduce behaviors of concern. This chapter examines the use of PBIS to address the ethical dilemma created in the school system due to disproportionate punitive practices.

A Longitudinal Study on the Effect of the Texas Behavior Support Initiative on Rural Middle School Students

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of a school wide positive behavior initiative designed to improve student behavior. Researchers analyzed the last 3 years (2005-2008) of student discipline referral data for grades 7 and 8. Implementation resulted in a significant reduction in the number of discipline referrals. Data revealed a decrease of 23% in the number (2239 vs. 1723) of discipline referrals from year one to year two and a decrease of 22% in the number (1723 vs.1340) of discipline referrals from year two to year three. Results obtained from the analysis indicate that the TBSI was effective in improving student behavior in a rural middle school.

Efficacy of Online Daily Behaviour Report Card to Decrease Off-Task Behaviour for Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Facilitating the learning and engagement of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in any classroom can be challenging. In this study, we examined the use of online daily behaviour report card (DBRC) to decrease off-task behaviour in students with ADHD who were studying at a public school for at-risk youths in Singapore. Using a multiple baseline design across participants, the study involved 3 adolescents with ADHD who exhibited a high level of off-task behaviour and had received numerous office discipline referrals. Aside from the involvement of classroom teachers, the online DBRC intervention was modified to involve an additional school mentor who supported the parents in monitoring and guiding the students. Results indicated that the online DBRC intervention had been effective in decreasing off-task behaviour in the 3 students. Implications of findings and directions for future studies are discussed.