Whole-School Approaches and Their Impact on School Climate and Student Psycho-Emotional Being: The Example of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) Framework

Abstract

Students get to learn and flourish in school environments where the school climate is positive, the staff is consistent in their support, and caring relationships with all students are promoted. School climate is a complex and multifaceted construct that has drawn the attention of several scholars who have extensively explored its theoretical and conceptual definition.Changing the school climate is not an easy task. Nonetheless, research findings have shown that when whole-school approaches are designed and implemented, student and teacher perceptions of school climate change positively. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the example of the School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) framework, its critical features, and pedagogical philosophy as a targeted solution for cultivating a safe school climate and empowering students and staff psycho-emotional well-being. Further, the chapter will provide an overview of the empirical basis of the impact of SWPBIS on student academic achievement and well-being and conclude with implications for practice.