Behavior-specific praise: empowering teachers and families to support students in varied learning contexts

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Comprehensive, Integrated, Three-tiered (Ci3T) Models of Prevention What is Ci3T? Ci3T is an integrated tiered system of supports addressing academic, behavioral (positive behavior interventions and supports [PBIS]), and social and emotional well-being learning domains. Ci3T is a district or schoolwide system with a continuum of evidence-based practices, programs, and strategies for all students at Tier1, some students at Tier 2 and a few students at Tier 3. The continuum provides a structure for making data-informed decisions to meet students’ identified needs at the earliest signs of concern. School Ci3T Leadership Teams use multiple sources of student data such as, academic and behavior screening, office discipline referrals, attendance, nurse visits; as well as, programmatic data such as treatment integrity, stakeholders’ views, to drive all decision-making efforts. In addition to using multiple sources of data to inform instruction for students, Ci3T also features data-informed professional learning for adults. Ci3T is a broadening of traditional Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), developed in the late 1990s to address social and emotional well-being See Lane, Oakes, & Menzies (2023).

Figure 1. Behavior-specific praise implementation resources.

Table 1. Behavior-specific praise: implementation checklist.

Step	In-Person Education	Virtual Education	Home Settings
1	Evaluate current rates of general and behavior-specific praise.	Evaluate your current rates of general and behavior-specific praise.	Reflect on your current use of general “good job” and behavior-specific praise “I see that you cleaned your room today!”
2	Identify behaviors to reinforce.	Identify behaviors in the virtual environment to reinforce.	Identify the behaviors you would like your child to do more of in the future. Tip: If you built an expectation matrix for your family, focus on those behaviors.
3	Practice delivery of behavior-specific praise.	Practice virtual delivery of behavior-specific praise.	Practice giving behavior-specific praise.
4	Observe student behavior.	Observe student behavior (e.g., scanning their video feeds, joining break out rooms, and monitoring chat).	Notice your child’s behavior throughout the day.
5	Provide behavior-specific praise.	Provide behavior-specific praise.	Provide behavior-specific praise when you notice desired behavior.
6	Monitor behavior-specific praise delivery.	Monitor your behavior-specific praise delivery.	Make a mental note of how often you are giving behavior-specific praise throughout the day.
7	Seek student input.	Provide the students with an opportunity to give feedback.	Ask your child what they think about receiving behavior-specific praise from you.

Sources. Lane, K. L., Menzies, H. M, Ennis, R. P., & Oakes, W. P. (2015). Supporting behavior for school success: A step-by-step guide to key strategies. Guilford Press.

Pérez-Clark, P., Lane, K. S., Austin, K. S., Allen, G. E., Oakes, W. P., Lane, K. L., & Menzies, H. M. (2020, August). Behavior-specific praise: A step-by-step guide for virtual learning environments. Ci3T Strategic Leadership Team. www.ci3t.org.

Lane, K. L., Pérez-Clark, P., Sherod, R. L., Oakes, W. P. & Allen, G. E. (2020, March). Using behavior-specific praise at home: A step-by-step guide for families. Ci3T Strategic Leadership Team. www.ci3t.org.

Lane, K. L., Oakes, W. P., & Menzies, H. M. (2023). Using low-intensity strategies to support engagement: Practical applications in remote learning environments for teachers and families. Preventing School Failure, 67(2), 79–82.

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Pérez-Clark, P., Lane, K. S., Austin, K. S., Allen, G. E., Oakes, W. P., Lane, K. L., Menzies, H. M. (2020). Behavior-specific praise: A step-by-step guide for virtual learning environments. Ci3T Strategic Leadership Team. www.ci3t.org

 Google Scholar

Lane, K. L., Pérez-Clark, P., Sherod, R. L., Oakes, W. P., Allen, G. E. (2020). Using behavior-specific praise at home: A step-by-step guide for families. Ci3T Strategic Leadership Team. www.ci3t.org

 Google Scholar