Examining differential effects of an equity-focused schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports approach on teachers' equity in school discipline.

Following a randomized controlled trial that showed effectiveness of an equity-centered positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) professional development intervention on student discipline in elementary schools, we studied the extent to which the intervention had differential effects on individual teachers' use of exclusionary discipline. Using the sample of teachers from the randomized controlled trial (n = 348), we assessed whether (a) changes in teacher use of office discipline referrals over the course of 2 school years and (b) intervention acceptability were moderated by teacher demographic characteristics (e.g., race/ethnicity, experience) or teacher attitudes (e.g., awareness of biases and commitment to equity). Results from multilevel models using two discipline outcomes (i.e., office discipline referrals issued to Black students and equity in office discipline referrals) did not show significant moderation effects for any demographic or attitude variables. Results of intervention acceptability found that teachers with pre-existing commitments to bias reduction found the intervention more acceptable, although means were consistently high across the sample. Findings indicate that the intervention was similarly effective on teacher discipline practices, regardless of teacher demographics or pre-existing attitudes, lending more support to the intervention's promise.

Equity-focused PBIS approach reduces racial inequities in school discipline: A randomized controlled trial.

We assessed the effects of a whole-school equity intervention implemented within a school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) framework on racial inequities in school discipline in eight elementary schools with inequitable referrals for Black students. The intervention involved assessing patterns of racial disparities in school discipline decisions and providing professional development on adapting school-wide behavior systems to improve cultural responsiveness through concrete strategies targeting the patterns. After consent and matching on existing levels of racial inequities, half of the schools were randomly assigned to receive the intervention. Analyses showed that schools receiving the intervention had significant decreases in racial disparities in school discipline and rates of office discipline referrals (ODRs) for Black students, while control schools had minimal change. Results are discussed in terms of improving equity in school discipline within multitiered systems of support. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).