NCJ Number
241918
Date Published
December 2012
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings and methodology of an evaluation of the Texas Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework, which is mandated for implementation by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) under House Bill 3689.
Abstract
The evaluation determined that PBIS is having an impact on the behavior and academic outcomes of youth in secure facilities. The number of misconduct incidents, both minor and major, is four times higher in non-PBIS school settings than in schools where PBIS has been implemented. The percentage of incidents among youth eligible for special education services has decreased, and the percentage of security admissions for these students is the lowest since 2009. The percentage of disciplinary referrals for Hispanic and Anglo students is also the lowest since 2009. In addition, the percentage of disciplinary referrals that involve physical and mechanical restraint has decreased to the lowest levels since 2009. Further, average daily attendance has increased; along with academic performance in all categories of measured outcomes. PBIS is an implementation framework designed to improve academic and social behavioral outcomes for all students by emphasizing the use of data for informing decisions about the selection, implementation, and progress monitoring of evidence-based behavioral practices. PBIS also organizes resources and systems in order to improve implementation procedures so they comply with evidence-based practices. Consistent with the response-to-intervention approach, PBIS establishes a continuum of behavioral support practices and systems. These include universal screening, continuous progress monitoring, team-based decisionmaking rules and procedures, and the monitoring of implementation. The evaluation used comparative data for the current school year and those years prior to the implementation of PBIS. Extensive figures and tables and a 17-item bibliography