ERIC Number: EJ689813
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2004-Jul
Pages: 22
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0145-4455
EISSN: N/A
School-Based Mental Health Services in Baltimore: Association with School Climate and Special Education Referrals
Bruns, Eric J.; Walrath, Christine; Glass-Siegel, Marcia; Weist, Mark D.
Behavior Modification, v28 n4 p491-512 Jul 2004
This study investigated the association between school-based mental health services and two proposed but untested outcomes of these services: (a) school climate and (b) patterns of referrals to special education. Results from a climate survey found that teachers and staff in eight elementary schools with expanded school mental health (ESMH) services gave higher ratings on the surveys mental health climate subscale than respondents from schools in a matched comparison group. No differences were found for the General Climate subscale of the survey. Results also indicated that teachers in ESMH schools referred fewer students to the special education neligibility process because of emotional and behavioral issues and that fewer students in ESMH schools were found eligible for special education for emotional and behavioral disabilities. Results of this study provide beginning evidence for the positive impact of ESMH programs on these two school wide indicators of functioning.
Descriptors: Health Services, Special Education, Mental Health Programs, Urban Schools, Educational Environment, Public Schools, Teacher Attitudes, Referral, Behavior Disorders, Emotional Disturbances, Elementary School Students
Sage Publications, 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243 (Toll Free); Fax: 800-583-2665 (Toll Free).
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A