Social Validity of a Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Model

As more schools turn to positive behavior interventions and support (PBIS) to address students' academic and behavioral problems, there is an increased need to adequately evaluate these programs for social relevance. The present study used social validation measures to evaluate a statewide PBIS initiative. Active consumers of the program were polled regarding their perceptions of the program's social relevance, including the acceptability of its treatment goals, procedures, and outcomes. Based on participants' feedback, several areas were identified for improvement, including the amount of paperwork required for successful implementation and the practicality of implementing and adhering to program procedures. As evidenced from the findings of this study, social validity is an important consideration when evaluating school wide programs.