The Electronic Home Note Program: An Effective Intervention Package to Improve Parent Program Participation, On-Task Behavior, and Academic Performance

Abstract

The current study examined the efficacy of the Electronic Home Note Program (EHNP) for improving on-task behavior, math performance, and home-school collaboration. The EHNP is a package-ready web-based home note that utilizes Google Drive. The study was conducted in a public elementary school serving predominantly low-income ethnic minority students. Student participants were four males in either the fourth or fifth grade with lower rates of on-task behavior and math performance in comparison to classroom peers. The intervention phase was 4 to 5 weeks in duration. Results indicate large effects (Tau-U = 0.90) for on-task behavior, which were maintained for all students when compared with baseline at a 3-week follow-up. During the intervention phase, three of four student’s on-task rates improved to a level that approximated that of classroom peers. Results indicate medium effects (Tau-U = 0.65) for math problem completion and large effects in math accuracy (Tau-U = 0.70). Parents consistently reviewed electronic home note (EHN) data with their child 84% at home. Parent, student, and teacher ratings indicate acceptable social validity of the EHNP. All parents and teachers reported the EHNP improved their home-school collaboration. The utility of using a web-based package-ready EHN is discussed.