Improving Social, Emotional, Behavioral, and Academic Functioning

Launched by EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY · Jun 16, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This is a school-based study that tests an enhanced version of the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISFE). The goal is to see if ISFE helps schools connect their behavior supports (PBIS) with school-based mental health services in a way that improves how students feel and behave and, in turn, how they do in school. Schools are randomly assigned to use the enhanced ISFE or to continue with the usual PBIS plus on-site mental health clinicians. It’s a prevention study, and researchers will track how well the program is implemented and whether students show better emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes over time.

Who can participate and what to expect: The study takes place in elementary schools in North Carolina and South Carolina and focuses on 3rd-grade students in those schools. Principals must consent to participate, and schools should have similar levels of existing PBIS use. Students can participate unless their parent/guardian opts out or a child has a condition (such as a moderate to severe intellectual disability) that would prevent them from completing self-report measures. About 1,200 students are involved across multiple districts. Participants will have surveys, school records, and routine data collected, and teachers, school staff, and mental health clinicians will participate in team meetings and data reviews to monitor implementation and student progress. The study started recruitment in 2022 and is expected to finish around December 2025. It is led by East Carolina University and the University of South Carolina, with other collaborating institutions, and does not involve drugs.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Elementary schools from pre-selected North Carolina (NC) and South Carolina (SC) school districts
• • Serving K-5 students
• • Comparable sociodemographic characteristics and fidelity of PBIS implementation
• • Principals' consent to Participate
• • Students from participating schools
• • 3rd grade
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Elementary schools from pre-selected NC and SC school districts
• • Serving K-8 students
• • Students from participating schools
• • Children identified with a moderate or severe intellectual disability resulting in inability to participate in student self-report measures
• • Children whose parents have submitted an opt-out form
• • Children who opt out the day of data collection