Externalizing behaviors undermine learning environments, yet many teachers report receiving inadequate preservice training to manage these behaviors in the classroom (Christofferson & Sullivan, 2015). Disruptive, aggressive, and noncompliant behaviors constitute the majority of externalizing problems that negatively affect classroom learning environments (E. Little, 2003; E. Little & Hudson, 1998). These problem behaviors interfere with instructional delivery, contribute to an unproductive learning atmosphere, and compromise students' ability to stay focused and learn (Walker, Ramsey, & Gresham, 2004). Students who exhibit classroom problem behaviors are likely to experience negative short-and long-term outcomes, including poor grades, absenteeism, exclusionary discipline, conduct problems, school dropout, and incarceration (e.g.,
Parental behavioral and relational engagement in school include components of trust, communication, and respect that are positively predictive of student academic success. Parents who report high levels of trust with their child’s teacher are more likely to be involved in school and related programs and events. Direct teacher–parent communication has been demonstrated to strengthen parental trust, thereby increasing parental engagement. The parent wise feedback intervention is a relational technique that communicates high expectations from one person to another while simultaneously creating a space for reciprocal dialogue to strengthen trust. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of this intervention on parental behavioral and relational engagement and student behaviors through a double-blind randomized control trial. The sample consisted of 51 students in third through fifth grade whose parents demonstrated low levels of engagement. Results demonstrated a significant increase in parental behavioral and relational engagement for the majority of parents in the intervention condition. In addition, changes in parental responses were positively correlated with changes in student behaviors. Educators can easily implement this low-cost, parent-directed intervention to enhance parental behavioral and relational engagement in populations that demonstrate high levels of mistrust with school personnel.
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