IRIS Media, Inc.

Researchers built on completed pilot work to develop modules introducing teachers to restorative practices, and initial data supporting the modules' acceptability, teachers' increased use of restorative practices, positive changes in Latino students' perceptions of school climate, and reduced disciplinary disparity. Specifically, researchers further developed the positive and restorative discipline curriculum, developed a fidelity of implementation measure to assess the extent to which the c...

The purpose of this study is to test whether the We Have Skills! (WHS) program (developed at IRIS Media through support of an IES development grant) can help young students learn social skills and behaviors to support success in school. Early elementary school is an ideal time to teach children these social skills and behaviors, yet few teachers feel prepared to do so, lacking both time and resources to support their students adequately. The WHS program teaches students seven social and acad...

Students in upper elementary school face increasing school demands and expectations for self-monitoring their behavior and learning. A significant proportion of student misbehavior can be attributed to poor self-management skills and lack of impulse control. Despite evidence for the potential of student self-management interventions to reduce problem behaviors, research on self-management programs has yet to be translated into effective, practical tools for widespread implementation at the c...

Although it is well established that effective classroom management is critical to reducing disruptive behavior, promoting student engagement, and ultimately enhancing academic achievement, schools struggle to provide adequate training in classroom management for all school staff involved in instruction and supervision. The standard approach to staff professional development, the one day in-service workshop, is often inadequate and typically does not lead to meaningful changes in teacher pr...

Children who enter school with social behavior problems are at an elevated risk for continued difficulties in school and life. Social behavior problems during the school years are associated with poor academic achievement, negative academic impacts on peers, and negative outcomes in adulthood. Early elementary school provides an optimal environment in which to address these problems by helping children acquire valuable social skills, develop social competence, and practice other positive beh...