Using the Class Pass Intervention (CPI) for Children with Disruptive Behavior

The Class Pass Intervention (CPI) is designed for students who engage in escape-motivated problem behavior to avoid or escape difficult or aversive academic work and who are not responsive to the system-wide universal supports provided to all students. Research on the CPI is in its initial stages and requires replications to be proven effective in multiple settings and become evidenced-based. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to expand the literature on CPI by targeting elementary school students and assess its impact on decreasing disruptive behavior maintained by attention and on increasing academic engagement. The study involved 4 students with disruptive classroom behavior and low academic engagement and their 2 classroom teachers. A multiple-baseline design across participants was used to demonstrate the intervention outcomes. The intervention was implemented during a targeted routine or academic time period when behavior was most likely to occur. Results indicated that teachers implemented the CPI with high levels of fidelity, and their implementation was effective in increasing academic engagement and decreasing disruptive behavior with all participants. The intervention effects were maintained after undergoing fading for all 4 students and during 2-week follow-up for 2 students. The results of social validity assessments indicated students and teachers found the intervention to be acceptable and effective. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed