Examining the Effectiveness of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports in Reducing Exclusionary Discipline for Students With Disabilities: A Systematic Review of the Literature

We conducted a systematic review of the literature to examine the effectiveness of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), when implemented with fidelity at Tier 1, in reducing exclusionary discipline for students with disabilities. We conducted a comprehensive search using electronic databases Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), Professional Development Collection, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycINFO, and Teacher Reference Center and identified relevant studies published between 2007 and 2023. After title, abstract, article screening, and contact with principal authors a total of 10 articles met the inclusion criteria. We systematically coded these articles, and results supported a positive association between implementing PBIS at Tier 1 with fidelity and reduced rates of exclusionary discipline for students with disabilities. These findings suggest that implementing PBIS with fidelity is a promising intervention for reducing exclusionary discipline. However, further research is needed to establish a causal relationship between PBIS and reduced exclusionary discipline for students with disabilities.