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Improving Behavior in Ninth-Grade Classrooms: A Study of CW-FIT

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Title: Improving Behavior in Ninth-Grade Classrooms: A Study of CW-FIT
Language: English
Authors: Paul Caldarella (ORCID 0000-0002-0883-8890), Erika J. Richards, Leslie Williams, Peyton A. Johnstone
Source: Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions. 2026 28(2):97-111.
Availability: SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Grade 9
High Schools
Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Grade 9, Student Behavior, Behavior Modification, Intervention, Learner Engagement, Teacher Expectations of Students, Positive Reinforcement, Rewards, Incentives, Junior High School Students, Time on Task, Program Effectiveness, Student Attitudes, Junior High School Teachers
Geographic Terms: Utah
DOI: 10.1177/10983007251335920
ISSN: 1098-3007
1538-4772
Abstract: During the move to ninth grade, students often face increased academic and behavioral challenges. This study examined Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT), which is designed to enhance teaching and learning by promoting student engagement. The CW-FIT involves teachers clearly defining classroom behavior expectations, praising students for appropriate behavior, and rewarding groups with points and incentives for meeting these expectations through a group contingency. This U.S. study examined the feasibility and effects of implementing CW-FIT in six ninth-grade junior high school classes using a single-subject ABAB withdrawal design, addressing the limited research available on this intervention for students in Grades 9 through 12. The results suggested a functional relation between CW-FIT implementation and increases in student on-task behavior, as well as increases in the ratio of teacher praise-to-reprimands. In addition, teacher and student social validity ratings were positive. This research provides evidence of the positive effects of CW-FIT in a ninth-grade context, addresses limitations, and suggests directions for future research.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1500445
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Improving Behavior in Ninth-Grade Classrooms: A Study of CW-FIT
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Paul+Caldarella%22">Paul Caldarella</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0883-8890">0000-0002-0883-8890</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Erika+J%2E+Richards%22">Erika J. Richards</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Leslie+Williams%22">Leslie Williams</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Peyton+A%2E+Johnstone%22">Peyton A. Johnstone</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Positive+Behavior+Interventions%22"><i>Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions</i></searchLink>. 2026 28(2):97-111.
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  Data: SAGE Publications and Hammill Institute on Disabilities. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Label: Peer Reviewed
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  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 15
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Grade+9%22">Grade 9</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22High+Schools%22">High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Junior+High+Schools%22">Junior High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Middle+Schools%22">Middle Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Label: Descriptors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+9%22">Grade 9</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Behavior%22">Student Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Behavior+Modification%22">Behavior Modification</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intervention%22">Intervention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Expectations+of+Students%22">Teacher Expectations of Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Positive+Reinforcement%22">Positive Reinforcement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Rewards%22">Rewards</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Incentives%22">Incentives</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Junior+High+School+Students%22">Junior High School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Time+on+Task%22">Time on Task</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Junior+High+School+Teachers%22">Junior High School Teachers</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Utah%22">Utah</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1177/10983007251335920
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1098-3007<br />1538-4772
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: During the move to ninth grade, students often face increased academic and behavioral challenges. This study examined Class-Wide Function-Related Intervention Teams (CW-FIT), which is designed to enhance teaching and learning by promoting student engagement. The CW-FIT involves teachers clearly defining classroom behavior expectations, praising students for appropriate behavior, and rewarding groups with points and incentives for meeting these expectations through a group contingency. This U.S. study examined the feasibility and effects of implementing CW-FIT in six ninth-grade junior high school classes using a single-subject ABAB withdrawal design, addressing the limited research available on this intervention for students in Grades 9 through 12. The results suggested a functional relation between CW-FIT implementation and increases in student on-task behavior, as well as increases in the ratio of teacher praise-to-reprimands. In addition, teacher and student social validity ratings were positive. This research provides evidence of the positive effects of CW-FIT in a ninth-grade context, addresses limitations, and suggests directions for future research.
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  Data: As Provided
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  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1500445
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1500445
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      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1177/10983007251335920
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 15
        StartPage: 97
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Grade 9
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Behavior Modification
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Intervention
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Learner Engagement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Expectations of Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Positive Reinforcement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Rewards
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Incentives
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Junior High School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Time on Task
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Effectiveness
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Junior High School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Utah
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Improving Behavior in Ninth-Grade Classrooms: A Study of CW-FIT
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            NameFull: Erika J. Richards
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            NameFull: Leslie Williams
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              Y: 2026
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              Value: 1098-3007
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              Value: 1538-4772
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              Value: 28
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