This study examined perceptions of teachers who implemented a tiered system of support, the comprehensive, integrated, three-tiered (Ci3T) model of prevention. We reported findings of four focus groups with a total of 18 elementary teachers who implemented Ci3T for 2 years. While the Ci3T model comprised elements addressing academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning, teachers were predominately concerned with issues related to students’ behavior. Teachers reported difficulty moving from reactive to proactive classroom management approaches theoretically grounded in behavioral principles.
We report findings of two validation studies of the Student Risk Screening Scale for Early Childhood (SRSS-EC). Although previous exploratory inquiry suggested a two-factor solution, results of Study 1 conducted with 274 preschool-age youth suggested mixed support for a two-factor model, with only one fit index suggesting an adequate fit (incremental index, comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.963). However, results did provide additional evidence of convergent validity between SRSS-EC and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores. In Study 2, results of convergent validity studies with 90 preschool-age children offered evidence between SRSS-EC and (a) Social Skills Improvement System–Performance Screening Guide and (b) Caregiver–Teacher Report Form (C-TRF) scores. Results suggested the following cutting scores: SRSS-EC E7 (0–5 low, 6–7 moderate, 8–21 high risk) and SRSS-EC I4 (0–2 low, 3–4 moderate, and 5–12 high risk), with C-TRF scores as the criterion. We discuss limitations and directions for future inquiry.
Increasing students’ opportunities to respond (OTR) is a low-intensity strategy effective in increasing engagement. Building on the work of Haydon and colleagues, we compared two types of OTR, choral and mixed (70% choral, 30% individual), to examine the utility of these strategies in increasing active student responding and accuracy during mathematics for two elementary-age students with internalizing behaviors. Results indicated the general education teacher implemented both OTR strategies with high fidelity with limited university support. However, results of this alternating treatment design were unable to distinguish either choral or mixed responding as superior to the other. Results suggested one student showed high active student responding with less than 80% accuracy, whereas the other student was highly accurate but responded less than 75% of the time. In the discussion, we highlight reasons why the two OTR strategies had similar effects on student outcomes, consider implications of these findings, and provide direction for future inquiry.
We examined educators’ sense of efficacy and burnout within comprehensive, integrated, three-tiered (Ci3T) models of prevention implemented in four middle and two high schools. At the time of this study, schools had completed 2 years of implementing Ci3T models as part of a larger district initiative. We examined how educators were faring with a specific interest in their well-being. We explored four sets of educator-reported variables: Ci3T treatment integrity, Ci3T social validity, sense of efficacy, and feelings related to burnout. Results indicated educators experienced emotional exhaustion nearly identical to a national sample; however, depersonalization and personal accomplishment scores revealed positive and moderate-to-large-magnitude differences compared with a national sample. Moreover, educators reported higher levels of efficacy related to instructional strategies and classroom management than a national sample. Higher self-reported levels of Ci3T treatment integrity were associated with increased levels of efficacy related to the efficacy subscales of Student Engagement, Instructional Strategies, and Classroom Management. We conclude with a discussion of limitations and directions for future inquiry.
