ERIC Number: ED611764
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 29
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Scaling-Up Behavioral Health Promotion Efforts in Maryland: The Economic Benefit of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Bradshaw, Catherine P.; Johnson, Sarah Lindstrom; Zhu, Yifan; Pas, Elise T.
Grantee Submission
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) has been shown to be a promising approach for improving a range of behavioral health and academic outcomes for youth. This study leveraged data from the scale-up of PBIS and a randomized controlled trial, both conducted in Maryland, to estimate the dollars saved per 100 students as a result of the reduced discipline problems, mental health concerns, and improved academic performance associated with PBIS. Shadow pricing results indicated that the largest cost savings was associated with improvements in standardized test scores ($138,658 for elementary and $71,444 for secondary). Reductions in elementary students' aggressive and disruptive behavior, as well as bullying behavior were also significant sources of cost savings ($166,028 in total). These cost-saving benefits are complemented by separate benefits associated with a reduction in suspensions ($33,415 for elementary and $11,361 for secondary). Other findings regarding student truancy, office discipline referrals, and mental health concerns are also reported. Taken together, these findings illustrate the broad cost savings associated with PBIS Tier 1 implementation and scale-up. We conclude by considering how the state-wide scale-up of PBIS can translate into cost savings across multiple agencies. Impact Statement: This study documents the cost savings associated with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a widely-used framework to prevent behavioral and mental health problems in schools and increase academic performance. The cost savings associated with improvements in standardized test scores ($138,658 for elementary and $71,444 for secondary) and reductions in aggressive and disruptive behavior ($166,028 in total) are sizable and illustrate the potential economic benefits of scaling-up Tier 1 PBIS in other states in the U.S. [This paper was published in "School Psychology Review" 2020.]
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Maryland
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305H150027