THE IMPACT OF BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ON STUDENT SUSPENSIONS

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Felicia Artina Whitaker (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of the behavior intervention programs, Positive Behavior Intervention Support and Character Academy impact suspensions of African American students in a local education agency (LEA) in northeastern North Carolina.\r\n Based on the literature review, suspension has been an issue for school officials for the past three decades (Unidos & Unidos, 2005). Students have been and continue to be derailed into the juvenile justice system as a result of suspensions. Students who are forced onto what is known as the school house to jailhouse track suffer dire consequences (Unidos & Unidos, 2005). A school-wide discipline plan is a first and necessary step in a continuum for providing behavior support to all students (Colvin, 2007). An alternative is a comprehensive, proactive approach to discipline known as School-Wide Behavior Support (Skiba & Sprauge, 2008). Character Academy is a program that is used in place of suspensions (Smith, 2013). \r\nThe data used for this research study were collected from an LEA in northeastern North Carolina. To answer the study questions, participant interview and school district suspension data reports were collected and triangulated. Data were collected through interviews with students, teachers, parents, and school administrators at the elementary, middle, and high school levels as well as school district leadership. School district suspension data were collected from the North Carolina Annual Report of Suspensions and Expulsions for the school years: 2011-12\; 2012-13\; and 2013-14 from Northampton County Schools. \r\n Based on the findings, the district should continue use of the PBIS program but train a district team of veteran teachers, administrators, and central office support personnel on all modules of the PBIS program to help implement and support the use of the program throughout the district. The district should discontinue the use of the Character Academy Program.

Additional Information

Publication

Dissertation

Language: English

Date: 2023

Subjects

Suspensions;Positive behavior;Intervention and support

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