Four U.S. House of Representatives; Phil Hare (D-IL), Danny Davis (D-IL), Lynne Woolsey (D-CA) and David Loebsack (D-IA), have introduced legislation entitled The Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act (H.R. 3407). A press release by the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law (Bazelon Center Mental Health Policy Reporter, vol. 6, #4, August 6, 2007) described the proposed legislation as a means to give schools the tools and opportunity to change how they respond to students, reinforce desired behaviors and reduce problem behaviors.
Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced the Positive Behavior for Effective Schools Act (S. 2111) in the U.S. Senate October 2, 2007. A press release quoted Senator Durbin, "America's teachers deserve our long term commitment so that they can provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. Positive Behavior Support programs have proven successful in Illinois and throughout the country. They teach good behavior and reduce the need for discipline in the classroom, in turn allowing more time for teachers to teach. We must expand these innovative programs to teach our students about positive behavior."" To find out more about the bill,
The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Division of Special Education extended an invitation to school districts September 17, 2007 to apply for Special Education Improvement grants (competitive) ranging from $15,000 to $75,000 for the 08-09 school year. These grants funds are to be used primarily for professional development. Schoolwide positive behavior support (SW-PBS) was recommended as one evidence-based practice to consider applying for through this grant opportunity.