The Purpose of the UWBRC and CC&E

In conjunction with a 4.3 million dollar research grant awarded in 2004 by the United States Department of Education, the University of Washington Behavior Research Center (UWBRC) was formed as one of four university-level Behavior Research Centers. Established to evaluate an evidenced-based practice for students at-risk of school failure, the UWBRC has expanded its research interests to focus on the following areas:

  • School Systems to Promote Academic and Behavioral Success
  • School-wide Positive Behavioral Supports
  • Building Positive Relationships for Student Success
  • Tools and Skills for Prevention and Intervention in Schools
  • Use of Technology & Data-Based Decision Making in Schools

The UWBRC is currently evaluating an evidence-based practice that was designed to address the challenging behavior of students who are at-risk of school failure in elementary school. Our intervention work can be considered as both an early intervention program in public schools, as well as a secondary and tertiary prevention program for students with challenging school behavior.

The Check, Connect, and Expect (CC&E) program is based on the theory that relationships with school staff, reinforcement of clear expectations and social behavior, and engagement in school activities contribute to improved academic and social outcomes of students. Therefore, the basic CC&E intervention focuses on improving students' positive relationships and prosocial behavior via daily positive interactions with school staff, reinforcement for student success, and immediate feedback for their problem behavior.

Students who are not completely successful with CC&E will receive an additional intensive, functionally-based intervention developed by a district behavior specialist, a behavior coach, and the classroom teacher. The intervention planning will be driven by the needs of the student, and be based on a systematic procedure for efficient implementation in classrooms.