The School Behavior Support Survey: Educator Experiences of Student Behavior in Schools

Abstract

The School Behavior Support Survey (SBSS) is a tool designed to learn about educators’ experiences managing student behavior in schools. The survey asks respondents about the frequency and duration at which they manage varying intensities of student behavior, the negative impacts of that behavior on educators and students, the types of supports available to educators when behaviors occur, whether educators believe those supports are effective, and what barriers influence student behavior. About 3,400 educators responded to the survey in spring 2024. Findings indicate that educators across professional roles are managing all intensities of behavior several times per week, and each instance of behavior takes between 10 and 39 min to address. Educator responses suggest there are many negative effects of student behavior, including disruption to the learning environment, physical injury, and emotional stress. Educators do not find existing supports to be consistently effective in reducing student behavior, and they identify home-based stressors as having a greater influence on student behavior than school-based stressors. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.

Keywords

behavior management behavior support positive behavior supports

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