Positive behavior support in urban schools: Can we prevent the escalation of antisocial behavior?

This article describes a case study of a school-wide positive behavior support approach implemented in an ethnically and racially diverse inner-city elementary school. The project brought together school-based professionals with expert behavioral consultants from a local behavioral health-care agency to address the increasing rates of student disruptive behavior. Significant reductions were evident in both the overall level of office discipline referrals as well as the most serious offense, student assaults. Results are discussed within the context of the larger task of preventing antisocial behavior in urban schools.