Expert Perspectives on the Inclusion of Students With Significant Disabilities in Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

Abstract

Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) is a framework intended to benefit all students in a school. However, recent research suggests that students with significant disabilities may not fully participate in SWPBIS. Given the complex reasons for varied involvement in SWPBIS (e.g., student educational placement), the purpose of this study was to investigate expert perspectives on the extent to which students with significant disabilities should be included in SWPBIS. Overall, experts agreed students with significant disabilities should be included in all tiers of SWPBIS, receive instruction in schoolwide rules and expectations, and have the opportunity to participate in schoolwide reward systems. Experts shared differing perspectives on the ways behavior violations of students with significant disabilities should be documented.