Positive Supports for Behavior and Discipline Resource Database

This evaluation brief explores the relationship between (a) schools’ implementation of Tier 1 (universal) support within a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework and (b) the proportion of students with disabilities suspended.

This fact sheet was developed to provide illustrations of the measures used to understand disproportionality related to various groups of children and a particular factor or outcome. This document focuses on children grouped by race/ethnicity. However, there are other groups you might also want to review (e.g., gender, dual language learners, children with IEPs). We provide an example of the calculation of these measures using the completion of a Behavior Incident Report (BIR) for a young child. These measures of disproportionality are also used to examine other variables of interest, including suspensions, expulsions, or referrals for services.

Schools across the U.S. are implementing PBIS in efforts to reduce racial disproportionality in school discipline, and overall, research shows that schools implementing PBIS with fidelity have more equitable school discipline. Yet eliminating disparities through standard PBIS implementation, without attention to the sociocultural context and systems that perpetuate inequities, is unlikely to produce desired outcomes. The presenters will share specific strategies and free Center resources for increasing equity in PBIS systems. 

The purpose of this study was to examine discipline disproportionality among schools implementing SWPBIS compared to the entire population of schools in the U.S. Examining patterns in a large-scale evaluation of schools implementing and not implementing SWPBIS could help determine the extent to which implementation of SWPBIS is related to lower, higher, or unchanged discipline disparities.

This technical brief is based on the 5-point multicomponent approach to reduce disproportionality. This brief elaborates on point one, regarding academic instruction, by defining key principles of evidence-based instructional practices.

Disproportionality in exclusionary school discipline is a longstanding challenge in general and special education. To reduce disproportionality in discipline in a way that produces measurable results, federal law provides a mechanism referred to as Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS). Whether a school district has been cited for significant disproportionality, is out of compliance, or is voluntarily directing funds to reducing disproportionality in discipline, this brief provides background on CEIS and outlines best practices for how state, district, and building administrators can invest these funds most effectively to achieve equity in school discipline.

This guide is intended to increase the frequency and quality of conversations about race, racism, and current events regarding race in K-12 classrooms to support students and provide voice and self-reflection. It includes recommendations and tips for creating statements of support, preparing for and facilitating constructive classroom discussions, addressing harmful statements, and designing lesson plans and units for ongoing learning.

This CPIR-produced training module explains what disproportionality is, which students are most often affected, and the consequences disproportionality can and does have, especially on students with disabilities. The module includes a trainer's guide, handouts for participants, and 2 PowerPoint slideshows, all downloadable. Trainers can use these materials to inform audiences about: what IDEA requires states, districts, and schools to do to monitor for disproportionality in special education programs; what happens in a state that finds significant disproportionality in the state or in any of its districts/LEAs; and the correction actions that must be taken.

This field guide outlines an integrated framework to embed equity efforts into school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (SWPBIS) by aligning culturally responsive practices to the core components of SWPBIS. The goal of using this guide is to make school systems more responsive to the cultures and communities that they serve. This guide is part of a 5-point intervention approach for enhancing equity in student outcomes within a SWPBIS approach.

The Pyramid Model Equity Coaching Guide provides the classroom coach with a reflection tool to examine the implementation of Pyramid Model practices through the lens of culturally responsive practices and identification of implicit bias. The Pyramid Model Equity Coaching Guide is used within the collaborative coaching partnership and ongoing coaching activities to identify when there are equity concerns related to practice implementation. The tool provides: reflective questions that the coach uses to identify areas of concern; guidance for identifying the concern and supportive data; links for resources that might be used to address areas of concern and; conversation starters and strategies for supporting the coachee in addressing concerns.

IDC’s Success Gaps Toolkit outlines a process that district and school teams can use to identify and address discipline disparities revealed through the state’s accountability system or through self-evaluation. The toolkit, with its process and materials, provides a manageable and defined way for districts or schools to take a closer look at their educational system to ensure an equitable education for all students. This toolkit is designed for district and school leaders responsible for conducting root cause analyses.

The Behavior Incident Report System (BIRS) is used to collect and analyze behavior incidents in early childhood settings. The system provides an efficient mechanism for gathering information on elements related to behavior incidents that are used to make decisions about providing supports to teachers and children within the program. In addition, the BIRS includes alerts about potential equity issues by calculating disproportionality related to race, ethnicity, IEP status, gender, and dual-language learners

This document provides program leadership teams with guidance to support their efforts to eliminate suspension and expulsion and promote equitable, inclusive and culturally responsive practice in all early childhood settings including public and private schools and child care centers.

In this webinar, panelists discuss their implementation of the Pyramid Model with a focus on addressing equity and eliminating the use of exclusionary discipline practices.

This self-paced module offers a broad overview of how diversity (i.e., culture, language, exceptionality, and socioeconomic status) affects learning and how teachers can better meet the needs of all their students in their classes.