Supporting SWPBIS Implementation in Rural Schools: Mixed Methods Findings and Actionable Strategies From a 3-Year Trial

Scale-up of evidence-based universal prevention programs for student behavior, such as School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS), is important for improving K-12 education outcomes. While much research exists on factors affecting SWPBIS implementation, few studies have been conducted in rural schools. Here, we highlight practical lessons learned from a 3-year cluster-randomized trial in the U.S. studying implementation supports for the scale-up of SWPBIS in 40 rural K-12 schools in Idaho state. Schools in the trial either received Basic or Enhanced support (training only, or training + technical assistance and virtual learning community). Leveraging interview data from school implementers, event data collected during the trial, and School-wide Evaluation Tool data, we explore the following research questions: Which factors are frequently reported to impact SWPBIS implementation in rural schools, and what are actionable strategies that rural schools can use to overcome implementation challenges? Many of the factors that were reported to aid rural schools’ implementation corroborate previous findings from non-rural schools (leadership support, staff buy-in, team collaboration, and external/ongoing support). Rural school stakeholders additionally valued receiving technical assistance from a provider in-person initially and having like-minded peer collaborators in the virtual learning cohort. Additional strategies to facilitate rural school SWPBIS implementation are discussed.