Legalization and retail availability of recreational marijuana and adolescent use in schools

Legalization of use and retail sales of recreational marijuana in U.S. states and the associated potential increase in access to marijuana and normalization of its use by adults could lead to increased use by adolescents. Studies have found that states with legal recreational marijuana have higher rates of adolescent use and frequency of use compared to states without legal use. We examined changes in student office discipline referrals (ODRs) for substance use offenses in Oregon middle and high schools before and after the legalization of recreational marijuana relative to comparison schools in other states. We found that rates of substance use related ODRs in middle schools increased by 0.14 per 100 students (30% of the mean) with legalization relative to comparison schools. This increase was moderated by the presence of a marijuana outlet within one mile of the school. We found no statistically discernible changes in high school ODRs. Marijuana use in adolescence has been linked to negative health and social consequences, including academic problems, mental health issues, and impaired driving. Potential adverse impact on adolescents and investments in school-based prevention programs could be important considerations for policymakers and public health officials when evaluating marijuana legalization.

Identifying profiles of school climate in high schools

This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 364,143 students in 492 high schools who completed the Georgia School Climate Survey during the 2017-2018 school year. Through latent profile analysis, we identified that student perceptions of school climate could be classified into three distinct profiles, including positive, moderate, and negative climate. Using multinomial logistic regression, we then identified school and student characteristics that predicted student classification in the student profiles using the total sample and subsamples by race/ethnicity. Among the key results, we found that most of the school characteristics (e.g., percent of students receiving free or reduced lunch, schools with higher percentages of minoritized students) predicting classification in the negative and positive school climate profiles were different for White students compared to minoritized students. For example, Black students in primarily non-White schools were more likely to view school climate positively, whereas the opposite was the case for White students. We also found that Black and Other (e.g., multiracial) students were more likely to be classified in the negative school climate profile and less likely to be classified in the positive school climate profile compared to White students. In contrast, Latino/a/e students were more likely to be classified in the positive school climate profile and less likely to be classified in the negative school climate profile. Implications for research and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Barriers to work-based learning experiences: A mixed methods study of perceptions from the field

BACKGROUND: Work-based learning experiences (WBLEs) are significantly associated with improved postschool employment outcomes for students with disabilities; however, little is known about the specific barriers affecting implementation of WBLEs. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify community-and school-related barriers to implementing WBLEs. METHODS: This study used a mixed methods approach to analyze survey data from 170 secondary transition staff providing WBLEs to students with disabilities in three states. RESULTS: Findings provided a broader understanding of critical barriers as perceived by transition staff implementing WBLEs, including limited availability of resources, transportation, and lack of willing employers. CONCLUSIONS: Collaborative partnerships between vocational agencies and school districts have the potential to address some of these barriers and improve the delivery of employment supports and WBLEs in an effort to help students achieve their postschool employment goals.

Development and Validation of a Measure Assessing Sustainability of Tier 2 and 3 Behavior Support Systems

To identify the most effective strategies for implementing and sustaining Tier 2 and 3 behavior support systems, a measure of general and tier-specific factors hypothesized to predict sustained implementation is needed. To address this need, we conducted two studies examining the construct validity of the Advanced Level Tier Interventions Treatment Utilization and Durability Evaluation (ALTITUDE) measure: one assessing the content aspects of construct validity (Study 1) and one assessing the structural and external aspects of construct validity (Study 2). In Study 1, participants included an expert panel of 26 members who provided iterative feedback during measure development. The results showed strong content representativeness (content validity index = .93) for assessing elements indicating sustainability. In Study 2, participants were school personnel from 646 schools who completed the measure. The results showed model fit was good for both a three-factor correlated model (CFI = .98, RMSEA = .06, SRMR = .05) and Bifactor S-1 model with correlated Tier 2 and Tier 3 specific residual factors (CFI = .98, RMSEA = .06, SRMR = .05). In addition, ALTITUDE latent factors were found to have both convergent and discriminant evidence in relation to concurrent fidelity of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (SWPBIS) implementation at Tiers 1, 2, and 3. This construct validity evidence will support the use of the ALTITUDE in identifying the strongest tier-general and tier-specific predictors of sustained implementation of Tier 2 and 3 behavior support systems.

A tier 1 intervention to increase ninth grade engagement and success: Results from a randomized controlled trial

Although high school graduation rates are improving, many students are still not successful. Research has documented that 9th grade is a pivotal year in determining whether a student will graduate or drop out. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to assess the effects of a Tier 1 intervention model (freshmen success) for 9th grade students to increase school engagement, attendance, credits earned, and grade point average (GPA). This study included 1,588 students in ninth grade across 4 comprehensive high schools. Treatment schools implemented the freshmen success components: a 9th grade leadership team, a curriculum, and support from peer navigators. Control schools continued business as usual. Results showed statistically significant and educationally meaningful effects on student motivation, engagement and attendance, and a moderate-to-large effect for credits earned. However, there was no significant effect found for GPA. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Adoption of PBIS within school districts

Recent research in implementation science has focused on identifying factors that predict adoption of evidence-based practices in schools. Less attention has focused on examining the adoption of practices within districts. This study included a sequential cohort of 552 districts in 25 U.S. states adopting an evidence-based framework, school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS). We examined schools within districts reporting on PBIS fidelity during their first five years of PBIS initiatives. Latent change score and multi-level growth modeling were used to examine and predict the percent of district adoption of PBIS over time. Results showed a significant increase in the rate of district adoption over the first 4 years of the initiative, with a decrease in growth between years 4 and 5. District size, proportion of students receiving free or reduced lunch, and districts located in cities and towns were found to be significant predictors of the percent of schools adopting PBIS. Implications for future implementation research and strategies for increasing the adoption of PBIS are discussed.