Supporting Students with Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Prevention and Intervention Strategies

Authors

• Lee Kern, Ph.D., Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• Michael P. George, Ed.D., Centennial School of Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
• Mark D. Weist, Ph.D., University of South Carolina

Contents

1. School Behavior Problems and Models of Prevention and Intervention - 1
2. Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support - 17
3. Assessing the Classroom Environment - 45
4. Managing Classroom Behavior - 75
5. Effective Instructional Practices - 101
6. Promoting Student Social Skills - 115
7. Preparing for Intensive Intervention - 135
8. Conducting a Functional Behavioral Assessment - 153
9. Developing an Assessment-Based Support Plan - 181
10. Measuring Behavior Change - 205
11. Enhancing Student Connectedness to School - 225
12. Interventions to Address Mental Health Needs - 243

Enhancing Student Connectedness to School

THE IMPORTANCE OF STUDENT CONNECTEDNESS

In one of the largest studies on student health, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Resnick et al., 1997), more than 36,000 students from 7th through 12th grades were surveyed on risk, protective, and personal adjustment factors. A range of individual, family, and school factors were found to be associated with positive student adjustment including school connectedness, family–child connectedness, high expectations among parents for school achievement, and student involvement in religious activities. Notably, student connectedness to school was found to be the most powerful factor in protecting male and female students from substance use, early sexual involvement, excessive school absences, and exposure to injury and violence (Resnick et al., 1997).

GENERAL THEMES IN PROMOTING STUDENT CONNECTEDNESS

Strategies described in this and the following sections are based on the presumption that:

1. The school is committed to enhancing student connectedness.
2. There is a team of interdisciplinary staff that is meeting regularly and guiding implementation and ongoing quality improvement of student support, prevention, and intervention.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified four critical themes to enhance student connectedness:

1. Support offered to students by adults.
2. Student belongingness to a positive peer group.
3. Student commitment to education.
4. A positive school environment.

TIER 1 STRATEGIES TO INCREASE STUDENT CONNECTEDNESS

The Wingspread Declaration on School Connectedness identified 60 strategies to promote student connectedness. These include clear and inclusive opportunities for decision making for students and staff, and increasing opportunities for families to be actively involved in their children’s schoolwork and achievement.

Parent or Family Involvement in School

In general, the more parents and other family members are involved in school and their child’s education, the better the outcomes are for individual students. Parent or family involvement also benefits the school overall, as it helps to improve the climate, which promotes positive student behavior and academic performance.

Enhancing Protective Factors

Enhancing student connectedness to school relates to protective factors for positive youth development identified by Mulloy (2014):

• Supportive and caring teachers
• Consistently high but also achievable school expectations
• Orderly and safe school environments
• Opportunities for meaningful student engagement
• Specific support for student social-emotional well-being

Improving Classroom Environments

The classroom environment has an important influence on students’ feelings of connectedness. Strategies to improve the classroom environment can enhance academic engagement.

Enhancing Student Aspirations

The Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations (QISA, 2014) describes eight conditions that promote student aspirations for academic accomplishment:

1. Belonging
2. Heroes
3. Sense of accomplishment
4. Fun and excitement
5. Curiosity and creativity
6. Spirit of adventure
7. Leadership and responsibility
8. Confidence to take action

TIER 2 STRATEGIES TO INCREASE STUDENT CONNECTEDNESS

Schools need specific Tier 2 strategies to increase connectedness for students showing early signs of experiencing challenges, including mentoring programs and reducing the impact of risk factors, such as poverty and exposure to violence.

TIER 3 STRATEGIES TO INCREASE STUDENT CONNECTEDNESS

Students presenting concerning and/or established problems have intensified needs for programming focused on improving their connectedness to school. Effective services for these students should involve them as partners in care, cultivating a collaborative relationship.

INCREASING RELATIONSHIPS AMONG SCHOOLS AND OTHER YOUTH-SERVING SYSTEMS

Schools are often isolated from other youth-serving systems, which can limit their focus on the whole child. Strategies that improve student wellness and emotional or behavioral functioning enhance students’ academic success.

SUMMARY

Student connectedness to school is a protective factor that promotes success in school and beyond. Teachers play a critical role in promoting this connectedness through positive relationships and strategies integrated within the multi-tiered framework.

REFERENCES

• Archambault, I., Janosz, M., Fallu, J., & Pagani, L.S. (2009).
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009).
• DuBois, D.L., Holloway, B.E., Valentine, J.C., & Cooper, H. (2002).
• Weist, M.D.(1997).
• and many others.