Implementing First Step to Success: A Tier 2 Behavioral Intervention

Helen Jarvis – Reading SpecialistMorgan Kraus - Classroom Teacher

Bartley Elementary, Fulton School District

Barbara S. Mitchell, Ph.D. MO SWPBS

MO SW-PBS

Session Outcomes

• By the end of this session participants will be able to…

–Describe the First Step to Success intervention

–Determine the extent to which the intervention is relevant for meeting the needs of students and staff in your setting

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First Step to Success

• Early intervention program designed to help children who are at risk for developing aggressive or antisocial behavioral patterns.

– Appropriate for students PreK – 3

• Behavior coach works w/ classroom teacher to provide intervention components.

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Evidence for First Step to Success

• Currently 26 peer-reviewed, published investigations

• 2 studies met evidence standards of the IES-What Works Clearinghouse (WWC; indicates a strong research design)– Walker et al., 1998– Walker et al., 2009

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Evidence for First Step to Success

Domain RatingsExternal Behavior Positive Effects

Emotional/Internal Behavior Potentially Positive Effects

Social Outcomes Potentially Positive Effects

Rdg Achievement/Literacy No Discernable Effects

Other Academic Outcomes Potentially Positive Effects

First Step Components• Includes three interconnected modules: – First Step Screening • Identifies problems of antisocial behavior

CLASS • “Contingencies for Learning Academic and Social Skills”• School intervention

homeBase• Home intervention

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School Intervention - CLASS

First Step

Student

First Step Coach

Classroom Teacher

Parents/Caregiver

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School Intervention - CLASS• Provided within the regular classroom context

• Requires a minimum of 30 program days for successful completion– Each program day has performance criterion that

must be met before proceeding to next day of program

– If criterion isn’t met the program day is repeated (recycled)

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General Procedures - CLASS

• Delivered in a game format– student has opportunity to earn reward for entire class

• Large green/red card is used to cue student

• Feedback and points are awarded for specified intervals – 80% or more of opportunities scored “green” gets class

reward– e.g., 5 min extra recess, popcorn

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General Procedures - CLASS

• Child takes score home each night

• Coach/Teacher contacts family each day to report on student progress

• Parent rewards child or provides encouragement for meeting goal the next day; signs card and returns it to school

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Procedures Coach Phase Coach Teacher Parents

Days 1-5

-Implements program with

child in classroom

-Communicates with parents daily

-Completes green/red card;

determines if goal is met

-Provides verbal praise

-Announces incentive to class

-Supports delivery of incentive

-Supports green/red card

going home

-Check for green/red card each day

-Gives praise and incentive for making

daily points

-Remains neutral if child doesn’t make

daily points

-Signs card and returns it to school.

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CLASS Component - Introduction

• Helen introduces “Game” to the class

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Class Component – “Game”

• Helen is playing the game using the Red/Green cue card

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Class Component – Earns Reward

• Helen announces that the student met his goal. Student selects reward.

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Procedures Teacher Phase Coach Teacher Parents

Days 6-30

-Implements weekly

homeBase program; 6 sessions

-Provides support and

consultation to teacher

-Takes over daily intervention

implementation

-Records information on

monitoring form

-Communicates daily with parents

-Participates in weekly homeBase

program with coach

-Participates in daily homeBase activities

w/ child

-Provides praise, incentives, and

monitors green/red card

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First Step Components• Includes three interconnected modules:

First Step Screening • Identifies problems of antisocial behavior

CLASS • Contingencies for Learning Academic and Social Skills• School intervention

– homeBase• Home intervention

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School to Home Link - homeBase

• Coach meets with family for 6 weeks– 45-60 min per week– Provides lessons for promoting school success

• Parents work with child – 10-15 min per day– Skill building and practice; positive interactions– Parent uses help & activity cards

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School to Home Link - homeBase

• Communicating and sharing school• Cooperation• Setting Limits• Solving Problems• Making Friends• Developing Confidence

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Perspectives on Implementation

• Helen Jarvis – Behavioral Coach

• Morgan Kraus – Classroom Teacher

• Connie Epperson - Principal

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First Step Materials

• Kits are available to borrow from your assigned RPDC

• Available for purchase from http://store.cambiumlearning.com/first-step-to-success/– Preschool Kit = $180– K-Grade 3 Kit = $209

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Information & Trainings

• Web Sites– www.firststeptosuccess.org– www.pbis.org

• South Central RPDC in Rolla– Monday September 15, 9:00-3:00

• Heart of Missouri RPDC in Columbia– Thursday October 16th, 9:00-3:00

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