Positive Behavior Over Time

There have been studies that look at behavior programs, and shown their benefits. We know that students benefit from the use of programs that help teach students social and behavioral skills.

This study looked at School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) in a number of schools over five years, and compared it to schools that did not use SWPBIS. They schools who did not use SWPBIS did use other programs, but they were not as all encompassing as SWPBIS. The researchers found that the schools using SWPBIS showed significant improvements in behavior and learning.

Two points were made about the programs; they were school wide and lasted for five years. Programs like this are most effective when everyone supports them and when they are repeated every year. The two are connected. When a school uses a program over a number of years the teachers get behind it. Unfortunately most schools do not stick with any program either from lack of money or leadership.

Application
The school needs to focus as one on a program like this. It is not enough for one teacher to teach the students about behavior and social situations. The training needs to be school wide and last longer than a year. Difficult to do if you are the not the principal.