Rob Horner is an emeritus professor of special education at the University of Oregon. His research has focused on applied behavior analysis, positive behavior support, multi-tiered instructional systems, equity in education, and systems change. He has worked for the past 20 years with George Sugai in development and implementation of school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS). Over 26,000 schools are implementing PBIS nationally. Research, evaluation and technical assistance outcomes from this effort indicate that investing in the development of a positive social culture is associated with improved social, behavioral and academic gains for students. Dr. Horner has been the editor of the Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, co-editor of the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, and associate editor for both the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and the American Journal on Mental Retardation.
Ph.D., 1978, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR
Major: Special Education
Major Professor: G. Thomas Bellamy
M.A., 1975, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Major: Experimental Psychology
B.A., 1971, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Major: Psychology
2017 Northwest PBIS Network Lifetime Achievement Award, Northwest Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
2016 Kauffman-Hallahan Distinguished Researcher Award for 2016, The Division for Research of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
2014 Northwest PBIS Network President’s Award, Northwest Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
2014 Distinguished Researcher Award, Special Education Research SIG, American Educational Research Association
2013 Outstanding Leadership Award, Midwest Symposium for Leadership in Behavior Disorders
2013 Milton JE Senn Lectureship Award, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)Council on School Health (COSH)
2006 Public Service Behavior Analysis Award, Society for the Advancement of Behavior Analysis
2002 Education Award, American Association on Mental Retardation
2002 Fellow, American Association on Mental Retardation
2000 Positive Approaches Award, The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH)
1996 American Psychology Association, Fred Keller Educational Researcher Award
1993 Distinguished Research Award, National ARC
1990 Lisl Waechter Award, ARC of Lane County
1986 Researcher of the Year, Association for Direct Instruction
1985 - 1986 ARC of Oregon's Educator of the Year
1985 AIDD Senior Editorial Board's Most Valued Reviewer.