Evaluation of Social and Academic Effects of School-wide Positive Behaviour Support in a Canadian School District

Abstract

This article discusses School-wide Positive Behaviour Support (SWPBS), an evi-dence-based approach to teaching social competencies and enhancing the school social environment. The focus of this article is on the value of evaluation and evaluation plans at a district level for maintaining and increasing the effective-ness of SWPBS in a district. We review the key components of evaluation plans and describe a framework for creating evaluation plans created for British Co-lumbia. We also provide an example of the evaluation efforts using this framework in a medium sized school district in British Columbia. Results showed decreased levels of problem behaviour, decreased numbers of students at risk for significant behaviour challenges, and increased academic achievement and stu-dent perceptions of school safety for schools implementing SWPBS, in comparison to low implementing schools and district and provincial averages.