Secondary Prevention in the Urban School: Implementing the Behavior Education Program

Abstract

Urban school officials face the challenge of a growing number of students with or at-risk for developing antisocial behavior. The school-wide positive behavior support (PBS) model provides a comprehensive structure for schools to address antisocial behavior more effectively. In this article, the authors document, in case study format, the implementation of the behavior education program (BEP) in one urban elementary school for a group of students requiring a more intensive level of intervention. The BEP is designed to serve a secondary prevention function in the three-tiered school-wide PBS model. Idiographic results showed positive gains for the majority of students. Student and teacher measures of acceptability indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the program. Discussion focuses on the application of the BEP as a secondary prevention strategy and the implications for use as an intervention as well as assessment tool.

Keywords:

• antisocial behavior
• education
• prevention
• urban school