Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
School of Social Work
First Reader/Committee Chair
Emily Loveland
Abstract
Behavioral restraint is widely used in California schools with the stated purpose of ensuring safety, despite being an unsafe intervention that can exacerbate unsafe behaviors. Certain student demographics and school district policies are associated with disproportionate behavioral restraint risk; however, these disproportionalities have not been systematically examined at the district level within California in a way that directly benefits affected students. This study aims to examine which student identifying factors were associated with the disproportionate use of behavioral restraints in California school districts during the 2023-2024 school year. Using the Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS) framework, this research will calculate behavioral restraint risk for specific student groups and compare it to disproportionality criteria to identify inequities. The research findings will provide educators with information on potential disparities and serve as a preliminary step toward reducing disproportionalities and increasing equity in California schools.
Recommended Citation
Deck, Samuel F., "DISPROPORTIONATE USE OF BEHAVIORAL RESTRAINT IN SCHOOLS A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY OF THE K-12 SYSTEM IN CALIFORNIA" (2026). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 2475.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/2475