Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) and School Culture: A Mixed Method Study on the Effects of Implementation of PBIS in an Urban K-8 School
Abstract
School culture develops as staff members interact with each other, the students, and the
community. It becomes the guide for behavior shared among members of the school at large.
School culture is a self-repeating cycle; culture is shaped by the interactions of the personnel,
and the actions of the personnel become directed by culture (Hinde, 2004). The culture of a
school can be a positive influence on student learning or it can inhibit the functioning of the
school. Stakeholders in any environment prefer to be in a situation that is appealing and
welcoming. When students attend school, the expectation is that it is a place where they like to
be, a place that offers support and encouragement, and a place where physical comfort levels are
optimal (MacNeil, Prater, & Busch, 2009). Research indicates school culture plays a significant
role in educational reform efforts (Gruenert & Whitaker, 2015).
This study investigated how perceptions of teachers, support staff, and administrators
affect school culture and academic achievement, and aimed to define how Social-Emotional
Learning (SEL) impacts school culture. The data collected and the statistical tests performed
included Correlations, a Mann-Whitney Test, and a One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).
The SCS-FF Open-ended responses were coded and synthesized, and interviews with six
certificated employees were coded and categorized into nine themes divided into four metacodes.
Lack of implementation with fidelity and consistent progress monitoring of the PBIS
program suggests that there is a lack of cohesiveness shared among staff members at XYZ K-8
School. Consistent expectations for all stakeholders, set forth by administration, emerged as
imperative to program success and a positive school culture.
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Thesis
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Keywords
Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports, School Culture, Social Emotional Learning, School Improvement