Scaling-up Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) Framework in Rural Settings through the Idaho Rural Implementation Model (I-RIM)

This project will examine the scale-up of the evidence-based Schoolwide Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (SWPBIS) approach, specifically focusing on rural schools in Idaho. SWPBIS is a universal, school-wide prevention program that aims to establish a social culture within schools in which students expect and support appropriate behavior from one another— and thereby create school environments that are socially predictable, consistent, safe, and positive. The Idaho Rural Implementation Model (I-RIM) is an already-developed approach, designed to help support the scale-up of SWPBIS, via improving implementation in rural schools. The I-RIM approach has been designed to address the challenges faced by rural schools via strategies such as capacity-building, regional coordination, online learning platforms and community supports, and technical assistance support that is tailored to the needs of rural schools and districts. The applicant will conduct a pilot study in three districts in Year 1 to finalize I-RIM materials. That will be followed by a randomized controlled trial in 40 schools, with 20 receiving I-RIM condition and 20 receiving SWPBIS training and supports as usual. The evaluation will examine the implementation and outcomes over two years. Outcomes will include school and staff implementation measures. Student-level outcomes will include behavior (e.g., office discipline referrals), perceptions of school safety, social-emotional outcomes, and academic achievement on the standardized state test. The study will examine whether: I-RIM improves school-level implementation of SWPBIS; I-RIM improves student outcomes beyond a standard SWPBIS training approach; and the benefits to students of the I-RIM occurs because of better implementation (i.e., implementation of SWPBIS “with fidelity”). It will also examine what types of school, district, and community factors were associated with successful implementation. This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in the applicable law, and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements – 2 CFR 200.210(a) (14). ca/ncf