Horner first speaker in new GSE lecture series

Robert Horner, nationally recognized for his work in special education, will deliver the inaugural lecture in the Graduate School of Education’s (GSE) new Dean’s Distinguished Lecture Series.

The annual lecture series will provide GSE faculty and staff, and Buffalo community members a chance to connect with leading scholars who will lecture on a topic relevant to education.

Horner, Alumni-Knight Endowed Professor of Special Education at the University of Oregon, will speak on “Enabling Effective Schools: Implementation of School-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).”

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 4 p.m. April 28 in the Student Union Theater, North Campus. Horner will take questions after the lecture, which will be followed by a reception.

Attendees are asked to RSVP by April 11.

This year’s event will focus on evidence-based school interventions for child wellness. In his presentation, Horner will review the core features and roles of PBIS, and the results of research and implementation efforts over the past 15 years. He also will share his experiences with intervention, which focuses on reinforcing positive behavior, as opposed to a punitive approach.

“We want our faculty to do more than publish, but to have an impact on improving education in local schools and communities,” says GSE Dean Jaekyung Lee. “Dr. Horner’s work has had a huge impact on schools across the nation and we would like to learn more from him.”

In addition to the lecture, Horner will present a workshop for GSE faculty on strategies to build more relevant research, gain national grants and build more practical models of intervention.

Horner’s research has focused on developing evidence-based interventions for people with and without disabilities. During the past 20 years, he has been recognized with multiple awards and has worked directly with schools in implementing school-wide systems of positive behavior support.

The event is sponsored by the Adelle H. Land Memorial Fund and the Charlotte C. Acer Colloquia on Urban Education.