Research

Photo of Student Behavior Blog Staff

Our Student Behavior Research team, within SRI’s Education Division, includes staff with diverse and broad experiences. We partner with students, teachers, and administrators from preschool to post-secondary levels to learn about what works to support positive school climates. We share deep personal and professional relationships with educators and practitioners across many local and distant school districts and a passion to promote healthy and safe learning environments.

Our researchers have been awarded contracts from local communities, foundations, states, and governmental agencies including the federal Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). Below are a few of our representative and recent projects.

Projects

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

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 ...
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Effectiveness Study of Tools for Getting Along, Teaching Students to Problem Solve

Large-scale study of a social problem-solving curriculum in grade 4-5 classrooms of 60 elementary schools. » Read more about this project on SRI.com Lead Investigators: W. Carl Sumi, Michelle Woodbridge Funder: U.S. Department of Education Dates: 2016-2021 ...
Photo of young, diverse students

Project SECURE: Keeping Kids Safe in San Francisco Unified School District

Implementation and evaluation study of trauma-informed universal (Second Steps), secondary (Bounce Back), and tertiary supports (districtwide behavior support team) in 30 elementary schools in one urban school district. Lead Investigators: W. Carl Sumi, Michelle Woodbridge Funder: National Institute for Justice Dates: 2017-2021 ...
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Efficacy Study of Foundations, School-wide Positive Discipline for Middle Schools

Efficacy study of Foundations, a schoolwide positive and proactive behavioral intervention developed by Safe & Civil Schools conducted in 60 middle schools in 3 states. » Read more about this project on SRI.com Lead Investigators: W. Carl Sumi, Michelle Woodbridge Funder: U.S. Department of Education Dates: 2016-2021 ...
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Statewide Evaluation of the California Mental Health Services Authority’s Prevention and Early Intervention Initiatives

Contract (funded by California’s Proposition 63 funds) with RAND Corporation to evaluate and provide technical assistance to Suicide Prevention, Stigma and Discrimination Reduction, and Student Mental Health initiative programs Lead Investigator: Michelle Woodbridge Funder: RAND Dates: 2012-2015 ...
Efficacy Study of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools

Efficacy Study of Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools

Efficacy study of the Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Trauma in Schools program for students experiencing traumatic stress in 12 middle schools of one urban school district. Lead Investigators: W. Carl Sumi, Michelle Woodbridge Funder: U.S. Department of Education Dates: 2011-2016 ...
Efficacy Study of Check & Connect

Efficacy Study of Check & Connect

Efficacy study of Check & Connect, a dropout prevention program, in 5 high schools of one suburban school district. Lead Investigators: W. Carl Sumi, Mary Wagner Funder: U.S. Department of Education Dates: 2012-2017 ...
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Effectiveness Study of First Step to Success

Large-scale effectiveness study of First Step to Success, an early intervention program for children in grades 1-3 with antisocial or aggressive behaviors, conducted in 48 elementary schools of 5 states. Lead Investigators: Mary Wagner, W. Carl Sumi Funder: U.S. Department of Education Dates: 2006-2011 ...
photo of frustrated children

National Behavior Research Coordination Center

Research coordination center that worked closely with four university-based behavior research centers in conducting randomized trials of interventions for students with severe behavior problems in grades 1-3. Lead Investigators: W. Carl Sumi, Michelle Woodbridge Funder: U.S. Department of Education Dates: 2004-2009 ...
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Reducing Exclusionary Discipline in Arkansas Early Childhood Programs

Study of the policies and initiatives to prevent early childhood programs’ use of exclusionary practices and promote children’s social emotional growth in Arkansas's Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)-funded programs conducted in collaboration with the Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (AR DCCECE) and the National Center for ...