Therefore, this philosophy espouses the idea that utilizing the universal provision of proactive and positive responses to discipline as a mechanism of positively modifying the educational environment will result in positive changes in student and staff behavior. In this way, positive behavioral interventions and supports contributes to reductions in disproportionate representation of African American students in exclusionary discipline practices. As this is a relatively new philosophy, there exists very little empirical evidence to support the notion that employing positive behavioral interventions and supports without the implementation of any auxiliary strategies will diminish the existing racial discrepancies in exclusionary discipline. However, using specific components of positive behavioral interventions and supports and combining them with other positively reinforcing, equitable strategies of discipline has produced preliminary evidence that shows marked decreases in the number of office discipline referrals, a more positive school climate and increased levels of school safety (Darensbourg, Perez and Blake
Therefore, this philosophy espouses the idea that utilizing the universal provision of proactive and positive responses to discipline as a mechanism of positively modifying the educational environment will result in positive changes in student and staff behavior. In this way, positive behavioral interventions and supports contributes to reductions in disproportionate representation of African American students in exclusionary discipline practices. As this is a relatively new philosophy, there exists very little empirical evidence to support the notion that employing positive behavioral interventions and supports without the implementation of any auxiliary strategies will diminish the existing racial discrepancies in exclusionary discipline. However, using specific components of positive behavioral interventions and supports and combining them with other positively reinforcing, equitable strategies of discipline has produced preliminary evidence that shows marked decreases in the number of office discipline referrals, a more positive school climate and increased levels of school safety (Darensbourg, Perez and Blake