Carl Sumi

Carl Sumi Bio:

W. Carl Sumi, Ph.D., manages the Behavior Research group at SRI International. Sumi is principal investigator of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)-funded efficacy study of Foundations, a program to support schoolwide positive discipline and of the effectiveness study of Tools for Getting Along, a social problem-solving intervention for elementary school children. He is also principal investigator of Project SECURE, funded by the National Institute of Justice to evaluate a multitiered trauma-informed system in a large urban school district.

Replication Study of BEST in CLASS: Coaches’ perspectives on implementing an evidence-based practice in typical settings

Authors : Carl Sumi

BEST in CLASS is a tier 2 intervention to prevent and reduce challenging behaviors and promote appropriate behaviors in preschoolers. Through coaching, early childhood teachers are empowered to deliver evidence-based practices with children at risk for social-emotional and behavioral delays. In this presentation, we will share coaches’ perspectives about the successes and challenges they experienced … Continue reading Replication Study of BEST in CLASS: Coaches’ perspectives on implementing an evidence-based practice in typical settings

Effectiveness Study of Best in CLASS: A Tier 2 Intervention in Early Childhood Settings

Authors : Carl Sumi

(SPR 2023) This presentation provides an overview of the BEST in CLASS early childhood intervention along with the evidence base for BEST in CLASS and describes a systematic replication study currently being conducted.

Effectiveness of Tools for Getting Along: Teaching Students Problem-Solving Skills

Authors : Carl Sumi , Jennifer Nakamura

(NASP 2022) This presentation described results from an effectiveness study of the Tools for (NASP 2022) Getting Along (TFGA) social problem-solving program. Findings show robust positive effects of TFGA on social–emotional and behavioral outcomes of Grade 4 students in geographically and demographically diverse areas.

Impacts and Implications for Remote Data Collection in High School Classrooms

Authors : Carl Sumi , Maddie Cincebeaux

(AERA 2022) School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic introduced significant disruption to educational research in 2020 and into 2021. In-person studies were put on hiatus, abandoned, or converted to remote studies.

Talking to School Staff and Leaders about PBIS: Describing PBIS in a Simple and Logical Manner

Authors : Carl Sumi

(CA PBIS 2021) Sometimes it’s difficult to succinctly describe what it means to be a PBIS school. This presentation provided a big picture context for PBIS, breaking it down to its si

Effectiveness of Tools for Getting Along: Teaching Elementary School Students to Problem Solve

Authors : Carl Sumi , Jennifer Nakamura

(SREE 2021) This presentation described results from an effectiveness study of the Tools for Getting Along (TFGA) social problem-solving program. The findings from this effectiveness study indicate that the TFGA program has robust positive impacts across student demographics, geographic locales, and socio-economic levels.

Social-Emotional Learning Program Study: Tools for Getting Along

Authors : Jennifer Nakamura , Carl Sumi , Michelle Woodbridge

After a turbulent 2020-2021 school year, it is more important than ever that educators have feasible and effective options to support students’ foundational social-emotional skills. Prior studies have found that students who participate in social-emotional learning (SEL) programs improve their behavioral and academic functioning and reduce their challenging behaviors.1 When selecting an SEL program, educators … Continue reading Social-Emotional Learning Program Study: Tools for Getting Along

A Study of “Discipline in the Secondary Classroom:” A Positive Approach to Behavior Management

Authors : Carl Sumi , Michelle Woodbridge

Efficacy study of Discipline in the Secondary Classroom, a positive and proactive approach to classroom management developed by Safe & Civil Schools conducted in 50 high schools in 2 states. Lead Investigators: W. Carl Sumi, Michelle Woodbridge Funder: U.S. Department of Education Dates: 2018-2023

Why work with us? Because we know what works!

Authors : Carl Sumi , Michelle Woodbridge

Our team works with state and local education agencies to select, implement, and evaluate programs that meet their high priority education needs. Whether you’re a school leader or teacher, an intervention developer, or a funder looking to invest in effective behavior management and socioemotional interventions, you’ll find a variety of benefits of partnering with us.

Meet our Student Behavior Research Team

Authors : Michelle Woodbridge , Carl Sumi

In this first blog entry, we introduce our research team and describe why we love our work so much. Our team of researchers, evaluators, and technical assistance providers brings a wealth of expertise, with a common emphasis on the social and emotional well-being of children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.