Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams Research Articles

Improving Behavior in Middle School Classes with Hispanic and English Language Learners: A Study of Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams

Improving Behavior in Middle School Classes with Hispanic and English Language Learners: A Study of Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams

Improving Behavior in an Alternative High School Summer Program Using Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams: A Pilot Study

Improving Behavior in an Alternative High School Summer Program Using Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams: A Pilot Study

Effects of Tier 1 Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) on On-task Group Behavior in a Preschool Classroom.

Disruptive behaviors such as elopement, calling-out, and aggression are often a major barrier to instruction in preschool classrooms. One widely used class-wide behavior management system is Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT). To date, we could only locate two studies on CW-FIT used in preschool settings which found a therapeutic change in on-task behavior as well rates of teacher praise, teacher reprimands, student socials skills, and student problem behaviors. The current study used a withdrawal design to also evaluate the effectiveness of Tier 1 CW-FIT on on-task student behavior and teacher praise and reprimand behavior in a preschool setting during both large and small group activities. Results suggested that the implementation of the Tier 1 components of CW-FIT increased on-task group behavior in both settings. Results for rates of teacher's praise and reprimand statements were variable.

The Effect of CW-FIT on Group Engagement During Virtual Instruction

There is a need to adapt research-based behavior management interventions so they have utility for virtual instruction. In this study, we investigated whether Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) would increase group engagement for a first-grade inclusive class during virtual reading instruction. Results of the single case ABAB design indicated a functional relation between CW-FIT and increased group engagement. Secondary measures of students’ (a) screen match (i.e., appropriate screen activity) during instruction and (b) attendance did not have clear relations with CW-FIT implementation. Overall, these results suggest behavioral interventions with evidence of effectiveness for increasing engagement during in-person instruction may have similar effects during virtual instruction.

Supporting elementary school classroom management: an implementation study of the CW-FIT program

Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) is a classroom management system using a group contingency involving direct teaching of classroom rules/skills, differential reinforcement of appropriate behaviors, and minimized social attention to inappropriate behaviors. We investigated elementary school teachers’ implementation of CW-FIT with minimal reliance on external researcher support. Nine teachers and their classes participated. Ten students nominated as at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) were individually monitored. Effects were examined using a single case reversal design. During CW-FIT implementation teachers’ use of praise increased and reprimands decreased, on-task behavior increased in all classrooms, and seven of the at-risk students also showed decreased disruptive behaviors. Teacher and student social validity ratings indicated support of and satisfaction with the program. Implications for classroom practice are discussed.

Middle School Classroom Management: A Randomized Control Trial of Class-wide Function-Related Intervention Teams for Middle Schools (CW-FIT MS)

Middle School Classroom Management: A Randomized Control Trial of Class-wide Function-Related Intervention Teams for Middle Schools (CW-FIT MS)

Effects of Middle School Teachers’ Praise-to-Reprimand Ratios on Students’ Classroom Behavior

Middle school teachers frequently struggle with positively managing student behavior. However, praise-to-reprimand ratios (PRRs) have received little research attention. PRRs studied in elementary school have been positively associated with improvements in on-task and prosocial behavior, but limited research has been conducted on optimal PRRs in middle schools. We conducted this study in the context of a randomized control trial of Class-wide Function-related Intervention Teams Middle School (CW-FIT MS) to isolate the effects of one of the main components of the intervention, PRR. After controlling for the intervention, we examined the effects of PRRs in 28 U.S. middle school classrooms on (a) class-wide on-task behavior, (b) on-task behavior of students at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), and (c) disruptive behavior of students at risk for EBD. Multivariate regressions revealed a statistically significant linear relationship between middle school PRRs and the variables of interest: As PRRs increased, on-task behavior of the entire class improved, on-task behavior and grades of students at risk for EBD increased, and disruptive behavior of students at risk for EBD decreased. We discuss the implications of our findings and suggest areas for future research.

A Systematic Review of General Educator Behavior Management Training

The purpose of this review was to systematically analyze the literature on behavior management training for general educators (Pre–K-12). We identified 74 articles in which general educators were trained to implement a behavior management strategy. General educators were most commonly trained to implement behavior-specific praise ( n = 12), Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams ( n = 8), or a multi-component intervention package (i.e., a student-level intervention that included a number of strategies; n = 21). The two most common training components were initial training provided in a one-on-one format ( n = 30) and the inclusion of ongoing coaching ( n = 29). Thirty-nine articles included measures of practitioner fidelity or discrete behaviors (e.g., behavior-specific praise) within the context of an experimental design. We evaluated methodological rigor and evidence of effectiveness of these 39 articles using What Works Clearinghouse standards. Eleven articles included group design studies, nine (81.82%) of which met standards with or without reservations, and four designs had promising evidence of effectiveness. Twenty-eight articles included a total of 49 single-case research designs, of which 27 designs (55.10%) met standards with or without reservations, and 23 designs provided moderate to strong evidence of effectiveness. Directions for future research and implications for the field are provided.

Multi-Tiered Classroom Management Intervention in a Middle School Classroom: Initial Investigation of CW-FIT-Middle School Tier 1 and Self-Management

Middle school students with social and behavioral concerns need additional support. The current study investigated the effects of Class-Wide Function-related intervention teams adapted for middle school contexts (CW-FIT MS) and self-management (SM) in a sixth-grade reading class. CW-FIT MS was implemented, subsequently, for students with data indicating additional support was needed, and a self-management component was added to intensify the intervention (CW-FIT MS w/ SM). A single-subject multiple baseline design was implemented across four student participants, and the on-task student behavior as well as the teacher-student relationship were examined to assess the effects of the intervention. Results indicated improved on-task behavior for three of four students with the implementation of the self-management intervention, demonstrating promising maintenance effects. Preliminary data showed an overall improvement in the teacher-student relationship. Both teachers and students reported positive perceptions about the intervention, consistent with earlier findings in CW-FIT MS studies. Limitations and areas for future research are addressed.

Effects of a Behavior Management Strategy, CW-FIT, on High School Student and Teacher Behavior

AbstractChallenging classroom behavior can interfere with learning. Fortunately known, positive, and proactive approaches to behavior management can improve student responding. Class-Wide Function-related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) have led to improvement in student behavior across elementary and middle school contexts. However, little is known of the impact of the intervention on high school student behavior. This study evaluated CW-FIT’s utility in improving high school student and high school teacher behavior in a co-taught learning environment. A single-subject withdrawal design was used to evaluate improvements in on-task behavior for 14 high school students in one co-taught classroom. The impact on praise and reprimand statements of two high school teachers was also assessed. The findings showed improvement to student and teacher behavior and sustainability of the intervention. Further, teachers and students expressed satisfaction with the intervention and teachers maintained high levels of implementation fidelity. Limitations of the evaluation and areas for future research are presented.

Building From the Bottom Up: The Importance of Tier 1 Supports in the Context of Tier 2 Interventions

School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) relies on effective implementation of Tier 1 practices to ensure accurate identification of students in need of more intensive supports at Tier 2 or Tier 3. While measures of school-level fidelity are widely used, measures of classroom-level implementation of Tier 1 supports are less common. If classroom levels of Tier 1 supports are variable, schools may identify students for Tier 2 supports when, instead, teachers need support implementing Tier 1 in classrooms. The purpose of this case study was to assess the impact of a self-monitoring intervention, Monitoring Behavior on the Go (MoBeGo), on the academic engagement and disruptive behavior of a middle school student. Initially, the impact of the self-monitoring intervention was inadequate. In the context of evaluating the impact of a Tier 2 intervention, we identified an opportunity to assess whether a class-wide Tier 1 program, Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT), enhanced the effectiveness of the Tier 2 intervention. Using an A-B-BC-B-BC design, we compared the effectiveness of a Tier 2 intervention alone with a combined Tier 1 + Tier 2 intervention. When the class-wide Tier 1 program was layered on top of the Tier 2 intervention, the student’s academic engagement showed an increase in level and stability.

Impact of CW-FIT on Student and Teacher Behavior in a Middle School

Positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) improve student behavior. Yet, teachers may not receive adequate training to implement PBIS at the classroom level. This study evaluated class-wide function-related intervention teams (CW-FIT) as a classroom-level behavior management system to determine whether the behavior of middle school students would improve with teacher implementation of CW-FIT. A multiple-baseline across conditions design was used to evaluate changes in on-task behavior of adolescent students in sixth and seventh grade from a socioeconomically and ethnically diverse middle school. In addition, the effects on teacher behavior-specific praise statements and teacher reprimands were assessed. Consistent with previous evaluations of CW-FIT, findings indicated a functional relation between the intervention and increases in on-task student behavior. In addition, the findings also showed improvements to teacher behavior with increases in behavior-specific praise statements; however, no effect was observed with teacher reprimands. Social validity measures indicated students and teachers found the intervention favorable. Implications, limitations, and areas for future inquiry are discussed.

Implementing Positive Behavior Support Within Preschool Settings: Group Functional Assessment and CW-FIT

Preschool is an important educational setting for child development, and problem behavior is a prevalent barrier within this setting. Preschool teachers have expressed the need for evidence-based classroom management interventions to address problem behavior. Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) is an intervention that incorporates social skills training, group contingencies, and reinforcement to address problem behavior within classrooms. This intervention has been found to be socially valid by teachers and children, and effective in increasing children’s engagement, decreasing problems/problem behavior in elementary, kindergarten, and first- and second-grade classrooms. The aim of the current study was to evaluate a modified CW-FIT as an effective strategy to address problem behavior within two community preschools in Ireland across three preschool classes with 32 children. A multiple-baseline design across groups was employed to evaluate the outcomes, with measures of generalization and maintenance (for one group) also taken. Visual analysis of data revealed an increase in the children’s on-task behavior and social skills as well as a decrease in children’s problem behavior within these settings. Generalization (across all three groups) and maintenance (across one group) of these findings for on-task behavior and problem behavior were also observed. Social validity measures showed that teachers rated the intervention as socially acceptable.

Managing Student Behavior in the Middle Grades Using Class-wide Function-Related Intervention Teams

During the transition from the elementary to middle grades, young adolescents may become increasingly vulnerable for emotional and behavioral problems. Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams for middle level school (CW-FIT MS), the independent variable examined in this study, was developed to improve teaching and learning by fostering student engagement. The study’s purpose was to examine the feasibility and effects of CW-FIT MS Tier 1 implementation in nine middle level school classes using a single-subject ABAB withdrawal design. Participants were 234 students in grades 6–8, including 23 identified as at risk for emotional behavioral disorders. Results of CW-FIT MS Tier 1 implementation showed significant improvement in on-task behavior for groups as well as individual target students, increased teacher praise-to-reprimand ratios, and decreased target student disruptions. Outcomes of social validity surveys were consistent with earlier studies. Study findings extend previous results by demonstrating positive intervention effects in novel settings with a greater number of participants. Study limitations and areas for future research are discussed.

The effects of the class-wide function-related intervention teams on behaviors of an elementary student with autism spectrum disorder in an inclusive classroom in Taiwan

In Taiwan, most students with disabilities receive education in an inclusive setting. Literature has documented the effects of interventions in increasing students’ positive behaviors in inclusive settings, including students with disabilities in Western countries; however, effectiveness of such interventions in an Asian context remains unclear. The Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) is one of the interventions that applies reinforcement-based strategies and provides multi-tiered supports to students with various severity of challenging behaviors. This study investigates the effects of CW-FIT Tier I (i.e. class-wide intervention) and Tier II (i.e. self-management) on the on-task and disruptive behaviors of a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder in an inclusive elementary classroom in Taiwan. Across nine weeks of intervention, the researchers used a reversal single-case design A-B-C-B-C to demonstrate experimental control over five phases. In addition, the researchers administered interviews and questionnaires to collect social validity data from the teacher and peers’ perceptions toward the intervention. Findings from this study support that the CW-FIT is an effective intervention in increasing a student’s on-task behaviors and decreasing disruptive behaviors in an inclusive classroom in an Asian context. The effect of implementing multiple tiers of CW-FIT was much more effective than implementing solely Tier I (class-wide intervention). The intervention was also well-received by the general education teacher and students.

Improving Student Behavior in Middle School Art Classrooms: Initial Investigation of CW-FIT Tier 1

Classroom management is commonly challenging in middle schools. Class-wide function-related intervention teams (CW-FIT) is a multitiered intervention designed to decrease problem behaviors at the classroom level. It is comprises evidence-based practices such as teaching classroom expectations, increasing teacher praise, and using positive reinforcement in an interdependent group contingency. CW-FIT has shown promise in a variety of school settings, but it has not been tested in middle school art classrooms. This initial investigation examined the effects of CW-FIT using a single-subject ABAB design in two middle school art classrooms. Results indicated that class on-task behavior increased by more than 25% and teacher praise-to-reprimand ratios more than doubled during CW-FIT implementation compared with baseline levels. Results also indicated that on-task behavior for students identified as at risk for behavioral disorders improved by more than 18% during the intervention. Teachers and students found the intervention to be socially valid. Resulting implications were promising for using CW-FIT in other middle school art classrooms.

Improving Student Behavior in Middle Schools: Results of a Classroom Management Intervention

Transitioning from elementary to middle school is a time of particular vulnerability for students with behavior problems. This study examined the effects of class-wide function-related intervention teams (CW-FIT) in three middle school classrooms to determine whether this multitiered intervention could help teachers proactively manage student behavior. With a focus on teaching classroom expectations, delivering behavior-specific praise, and providing differential reinforcement within an interdependent group contingency, CW-FIT is designed to teach functional replacement behaviors that support students’ academic engagement. Intervention effects were assessed with seventh- and eighth-grade students from diverse backgrounds. Results, evaluated using a single-subject withdrawal (ABAB) design, indicated improved rates of on-task behavior at both class-wide and individual student levels, with corresponding increases in teacher praise and decreases in teacher reprimands. The positive way in which participants viewed CW-FIT implementation and its accompanying effects on student behaviors was consistent with earlier findings in elementary schools. Study limitations and areas for future research are discussed.

Managing Student Behavior in a Middle School Special Education Classroom Using CW-FIT Tier 1

Middle school special education teachers often express concern about challenging student behavior. Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT), a behavior management program based on school-wide positive behavior support, have been effective in elementary general education classrooms. The present study, the first to apply it in a middle school special education setting, used an ABAC design to examine effects on student on-task behavior and teacher praise rates in a self-contained special education classroom for students with severe disabilities and their typically developing peer tutors. Results suggested that CW-FIT Tier 1 is associated with improvements in student on-task behavior and teacher praise rates, especially when peer tutors are included in the intervention and when the timer is silent. Both teachers and students reported the intervention to be socially valid. Study limitations and areas for future research are addressed.

Varying Opportunities to Respond to Improve Behavior of Elementary Students with Developmental Disabilities

This study investigated the effects of varying opportunities to respond when using a behavior management program with three elementary school students with developmental disabilities in a small group special education setting. These students exhibited both academic and behavioral difficulties. With the implementation of Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) with low opportunities to respond (OTR), students increased their active engagement and correct responses, as well as decreased their disruptive behaviors. When CW-FIT with high OTR was implemented, students showed an even greater improvement than CW-FIT with low OTR. Higher rates of OTR resulted in higher levels of active engagement and correct responses and decreases in disruptive behavior for all three students. These results indicate that CW-FIT in combination with high OTR can help elementary school teachers manage students’ behavior and increase students’ correct responding when implemented in a small group special education setting.

Class-wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT): Student and Teacher Outcomes from a Multisite Randomized Replication Trial

The purpose of the study was to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to demonstrate efficacy of the Classwide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT) program. The study was designed to replicate an initial RCT conducted by the CW-FIT developers in 1 site, with 2 additional research groups not involved in its development. The study was conducted across 3 states, in 21 culturally diverse schools, and with 83 teachers (classrooms) assigned to CW-FIT and 74 teachers (classrooms) assigned to the comparison group. The CW-FIT intervention included teaching prosocial skills and use of differential attention (teacher praise and points) for appropriate behaviors using a group contingency, class teams, goal setting, points, and rewards. Class-wide student on-task behavior improved, teacher praise and attention to appropriate behaviors increased, and reprimands decreased in the CWFIT classes with significantly fewer changes over time for the comparison group.