Targeted and Intensive Consultation for Increasing Head Start and Elementary Teachers' Behavior-Specific Praise

摘要

School-based consultation is effective for improving teachers' use of evidence-based classroom management strategies. However, teachers often respond differentially to varying types of consultation strategies. This study utilized a multiple baseline design across four teachers (i.e., two preschool and two elementary) to examine the effectiveness of a tiered consultation model for increasing teachers' rate of behavior-specific praise and concomitant child outcomes. Tiers in this study included large-group didactic training (Tier 1), digital performance feedback (Tier 2), and a tactile prompt (Tier 3). Results indicated that three of four teachers increased their rate of behavior-specific praise during Tier 2 consultation, with two maintaining following termination of Tier 2 consultation. One teacher required Tier 3 consultation, which resulted in increased rates of behavior-specific praise. Furthermore, results indicated that children's display of appropriately engaged behavior increased and disruptive behavior decreased in three of the four classrooms. Implications for practice, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.