A systematic review of student outcomes as a function of behavioral skills training of teachers

Abstract

Problem behavior of students in school settings have negative effects on several areas of functioning in children. Empirical research has provided conclusive evidence regarding lifetime repercussions when problematic behavior is not treated. Despite evidence of the effectiveness of applied behavior analysis interventions to improve student’s behavior, access to these services remains a major challenge. Training teachers and staff in these procedures has been shown to be an effective alternative to achieve a greater reach; however, little attention has been paid to the effect of teacher training on student’s outcomes. The current systematic review aims to provide a synthesis of the evidence of teacher’s behavioral skills training intended to modify student’s behavior. Fifty-three empirical studies were collected from eight databases and eight specialized journals. Overall, we found the studies provide evidence of the effectiveness of teacher training on student’s outcomes. We also describe the main characteristics of the study interventions and discuss potential considerations related to training components that can be used to provide more effective training, especially for diverse contexts and communities with fewer resources. Needs for future research are discussed.