Classroom Behavior Support Project

Through the Classroom Behavior Support Project (CBS), the OHIO CIRS team works with elementary schools to support teachers’ classroom management needs and improve student outcomes. Many school districts sought for professional development to support teachers’ use of Tier 1 and Tier 2 classroom interventions. The CBS project may serve as a way to meet this need.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) provides funding for this project.

How Does the Classroom Behavior Support Project Work?

The project occurs in two phases.

Phase 1: Collaborative Self-Assessment

From January – May, teachers participate in a collaborative self-assessment. This phase involves:

  • Participation in a brief interview with the CIRS staff, two classroom observations and complete rating scales
  • An individual session to reflect on your own strengths and areas for professional growth

The outcomes are confidential. Teachers are paid for completing ratings scales ($75) and are eligible to receive CEUs.

Phase 2: Positive Behavior Support Strategies

During the following academic year, a subset of teachers who completed the spring assessment will be invited to participate in a randomized trial. Within the randomized trial, teachers receive coaching in Tier 1 and Tier 2 positive behavior support strategies. The trial assesses the two coaching packages on teacher practices and student outcomes.

Through this trial, teachers will:

  • Develop individual professional goals
  • Participated in roughly six individual coaching sessions in the fall and roughly two sessions in the spring
  • Complete rating scales during the fall, winter and spring (with compensation)
  • Allow weekly observations in the classroom

Teacher outcomes are confidential, and teachers receive $350 in compensation.

Why Participate?

  • Approximately 20–30% of students experienced social, emotional and behavioral challenges related to the pandemic
  • Meeting the needs of all students is critical to student and teacher success
  • Challenging behavior is stressful for teachers, and many teachers request support on Tier 1 and Tier 2 strategies
  • Teachers benefit more from individualized coaching support than workshop-style professional development

We provide individualized coaching and professional development to teachers for free. This coaching aligns with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and other similar programs (e.g., Restorative Practices, Responsive Classroom and Leader in Me). Our team will work with administrators to build capacity in your building (e.g., identify one representative per building to learn and sustain the coaching model).

Benefits for Teachers and Students

The Classroom Behavior Support Project benefits teachers and students.

Benefits for Teachers

  • Individualized support
  • Improved student-teacher relationships
  • Reduced daily stress
  • Positive home-school communication

Benefits for Students

  • Increased time on task and engaged learning
  • Increased academic and behavioral functioning
  • Improved student-teacher relationships
  • Enhanced self-esteem