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W. Carl Sumi

Bio: W. Carl Sumi is an academic researcher from SRI International. The author has contributed to research in topics: Special education & Mental health. The author has an hindex of 7, co-authored 12 publications receiving 831 citations.

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This paper provided a national perspective of children and youth with emotional disturbances (ED) served in special education using data from the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study and the National LongitudinalTransition Study.
Abstract: This article provides a national perspective of children and youth with emotional disturbances (ED) served in special education using data from the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study and the National LongitudinalTransition Study—2. Data sources comprise teachers,school records, the students, and their parents. Results indicate that children and youth with ED live in households in which multiple risk factors exist for poor life outcomes. As a group, these children and youth have serious and multiple impairments that include an array of emotional disabilities, poor communication skills, and low academic achievement. There is a considerable gap between initial identification of problems and the onset of service delivery, a high rate of suspension and expulsion, and an unstable school environment. Parents of children and youth with ED work harder to secure services for their children and are less satisfied with services than parents of children in other disability groups. Implications of the find...

458 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The authors provided a national perspective on the schools and school programs for students with emotional disturbances (ED) who are served in special education, using nationally representative teachers and administrators. But they did not consider the emotional disorders of the students.
Abstract: This article provides a national perspective on the schools and school programs for students with emotional disturbances (ED) who are served in special education, using nationally representative da...

228 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the rationale, development, implementation, and evaluation of a school-based program for students with emotional disturbances who are served in a special education setting is described, and the essential features of this program included a training program for professionals from the school and community agencies, the development and implementation of a strengths-based plan in which students and families are included as partners, and a method for evaluating the fidelity of program implementation.
Abstract: In this article, the rationale, development, implementation, and evaluation of a school-based program for students with emotional disturbances who are served in a special education setting is described. The essential features of this program included a training program for professionals from the school and community agencies, the development and implementation of a strengths-based plan in which students and families are included as partners, and a method for evaluating the fidelity of program implementation. Results indicated a reduction in discipline referrals, better retention of students with emotional disturbances in their community schools, and a trend toward improved emotional functioning. In addition, fidelity was positively related to higher reading achievement.The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for policy, training, and future research efforts.

42 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on the effectiveness of First Step to Success, a secondary-level intervention appropriate for students in early elementary school who experience moderate to severe behavior problems.
Abstract: This article reports on the effectiveness of First Step to Success, a secondary-level intervention appropriate for students in early elementary school who experience moderate to severe behavior pro...

41 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the key steps needed to effectively study SMH research questions is presented, including the design of research models, methods for describing effects and outcomes, issues in measurement of process and outcomes and the foundational role of school and community research partnerships.
Abstract: Research in the area of school mental health (SMH) has undergone rapid evolution and expansion, and as such, studies require the use of diverse and emerging methodologies. In parallel with the increase in SMH research studies has been greater realization of the complex research methods needed for the optimal measurement, design, implementation, analysis, and presentation of results. This paper reviews key steps needed to effectively study SMH research questions. Considerations around research designs, methods for describing effects and outcomes, issues in measurement of process and outcomes, and the foundational role of school and community research partnerships are discussed within the context of SMH research studies. Ongoing developments within SMH research methods are presented as illustrative examples.

30 citations


Cited by
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01 Jan 2005
TL;DR: The authors call for applied research to better understand service delivery processes and contextual factors to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of program implementation at local state and national levels.
Abstract: In the past few years several major reports highlighted the gap between our knowledge of effective treatments and services currently being received by consumers. These reports agree that we know much about interventions that are effective but make little use of them to help achieve important behavioral health outcomes for children families and adults nationally. This theme is repeated in reports by the Surgeon General (United States Department of Health and Human Services 1999; 2001) the National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH] National Advisory Mental Health Council Workgroup on Child and Adolescent Mental Health Intervention Development and Deployment (2001) Bernfeld Farrington & Leschied (2001) Institute of Medicine (2001) and the Presidents New Freedom Commission on Mental Health (2003). The authors call for applied research to better understand service delivery processes and contextual factors to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of program implementation at local state and national levels. Our understanding of how to develop and evaluate evidence-based intervention programs has been furthered by on-going efforts to research and refine programs and practices to define "evidence bases" and to designate and catalogue "evidence-based programs or practices". However the factors involved in successful implementation of these programs are not as well understood. Current views of implementation are based on the scholarly foundations prepared by Pressman & Wildavskys (1973) study of policy implementation Havelock & Havelocks (1973) classic curriculum for training change agents and Rogers (1983; 1995) series of analyses of factors influencing decisions to choose a given innovation. These foundations were tested and further informed by the experience base generated by pioneering attempts to implement Fairweather Lodges and National Follow-Through education models among others. Petersilia (1990) concluded that "The ideas embodied in innovative social programs are not self-executing." Instead what is needed is an "implementation perspective on innovation--an approach that views postadoption events as crucial and focuses on the actions of those who convert it into practice as the key to success or failure". (excerpt)

3,603 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a review of the literature on measuring fidelity of K-12 curriculum interventions and their relationship to outcomes, focusing on how fidelity of implementation to core curriculum interventions can be measured and related to outcomes.
Abstract: Education researchers are being asked to conduct rigorous, scientifically based studies of K–12 curriculum interventions; therefore, the need for measuring fidelity of implementation and empirically relating it to outcomes (the chief rationale for this review) is warranted to ensure internal and external validity. The results of this review indicate that there are too few studies to guide researchers on how fidelity of implementation to core curriculum interventions can be measured and related to outcomes, particularly within efficacy and effectiveness studies, where the requirements for fidelity measures differ. This review attempts to clarify the definition, conceptualization, and measurement of fidelity of implementation and to guide future researchers in understanding how fidelity of implementation can be used to adjust or interpret outcome measures.

922 citations

01 Jan 2006
TL;DR: An extensive review of the literature found that, despite a 20-year history of implementation, there are surprisingly few data that could directly test the assumptions of a zero tolerance approach to school discipline, and the data that are available tend to contradict those assumptions.
Abstract: Although there can be no dispute that schools must do all that can be done to ensure the safety of learning environments, controversy has arisen about the use of zero tolerance policies and procedures to achieve those aims. In response to that controversy, and to assess the extent to which current practice benefits students and schools, the American Psychological Association convened a task force to evaluate the evidence and to make appropriate recommendations regarding zero tolerance policies and practices. An extensive review of the literature found that, despite a 20-year history of implementation, there are surprisingly few data that could directly test the assumptions of a zero tolerance approach to school discipline, and the data that are available tend to contradict those assumptions. Moreover, zero tolerance policies may negatively affect the relationship of education with juvenile justice and appear to conflict to some degree with current best knowledge concerning adolescent development. To address the needs of schools for discipline that can maintain school safety while maximizing student opportunity to learn, the report offers recommendations for both reforming zero tolerance where its implementation is necessary and for alternative practice to replace zero tolerance where a more appropriate approach is indicated.

760 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the extent to which an array of student, family, and school factors was associated with employment during the 2 years following high school and found that having held a paid, community-based job while still in high school was strongly correlated with postschool employment success.
Abstract: Although entry into the world of work is a prominent marker of postschool success in the United States, students with severe disabilities often leave high school without the skills, experiences, and supports that lead to meaningful employment. The authors examined the extent to which an array of student, family, and school factors was associated with employment during the 2 years following high school. Having held a paid, community-based job while still in high school was strongly correlated with postschool employment success. In addition, being male and having more independence in self-care, higher social skills, more household responsibilities during adolescence, and higher parent expectations related to future work were all associated with increased odds of employment after school for young adults with severe disabilities. Implications for transition policy and practice are presented along with recommendations for future research addressing the career development of youth with intellectual disabilities...

460 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article reviewed data from several national longitudinal studies to present a comprehensive picture of issues pertinent to this group of students and concluded with a discussion of areas for further consideration and attention, and concluded that outcomes for these students continue to be dismal.
Abstract: The purpose of this article is to add to the discussion regarding identification of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). In addition, the article discusses services that students with EBD receive and their outcomes. The article reviews data from several national longitudinal studies to present a comprehensive picture of issues pertinent to this group of students. Unfortunately, outcomes for these students continue to be dismal. The article concludes with a discussion of areas for further consideration and attention.

346 citations