This study examined the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) on teachers' implementation fidelity of a reading racetrack (a board game designed to increase sight word fluency) with elementary students identified as struggling readers. BST, an alternative to traditional professional development, is a performance-based protocol incorporating instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. A multiple probe design across teacher-student dyads demonstrated that BST was functionally related to the teachers' implementation of a reading racetrack with 100% fidelity on at least three consecutive sessions. Additionally, students met mastery criteria for sight word acquisition and demonstrated maintenance at least one to two weeks post intervention.
Keywords reading; intervention; fidelity; behavioral skills trainingFactors affecting student academic achievement are numerous and complex. Variables such as family socioeconomic status and parenting practices are frustratingly beyond the control of school systems and educators (Lee & Shute, 2010;Oxford & Lee, 2011). One area that can be improved is teacher competency (Coles, Owens, Serrano, Slavec, & Evans, 2015;Shaffer & Thomas-Brown, 2015). Yet, teachers can only be as competent as they know how to be. Teachers must be well-versed in core content, instructional strategies, and current evidence-based practices. For practicing teachers, professional development is the avenue through which they gain and maintain competency.However, the importance of professional development stands in contrast to how most teachers view it. According to a 2004 survey of teachers, 42% of respondents indicated that professional development "leaves something to be desired" or "is a waste of time" (Peter D. Hart Research Associates & Harris Interactive, 2004). In another, more recent national survey (n = 890), 51% of teachers agreed that, in terms of improving teacher effectiveness, improving professional development would be "very effective," and 44% indicated improving professional development would be "somewhat effective" (Coggshall, Ott, & Lasagna, 2010).