BEST in CLASS Program for Evidence-Based Education

No longer recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Bryce McLeod

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Virginia Commonwealth University

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers, No consent, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

The trial aims to understand how teachers continue using key parts of the BEST in CLASS program in their classrooms. It focuses on helping teachers improve classroom management for children at risk of emotional and behavioral difficulties, particularly those displaying disruptive behaviors like aggression. Teachers who have previously participated in the BEST in CLASS program and currently teach Kindergarten through 3rd grade may be suitable candidates. The study also involves families with school-age children who are proficient in English and have consented to participate. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to valuable educational research that can enhance classroom management strategies.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that the BEST in CLASS program is safe for implementation in classrooms?

This study lacks direct information on the safety of the BEST in CLASS program. It is important to note that this is a training program for teachers, not a medical treatment. It involves no drugs or medical procedures, so there are no concerns about physical side effects or harmful reactions.

The main focus is on how teachers implement the program in their classrooms. Since it is not a medical treatment, safety for individuals is not a typical concern. Instead, the study examines the program's effectiveness and the outcomes it achieves in educational settings. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the BEST in CLASS program because it represents a shift from traditional teaching methods to evidence-based strategies for classroom management. Unlike standard practices that often rely on general behavioral guidelines, this program equips teachers with specific techniques tailored to improve student engagement and behavior in real-time. By integrating these targeted interventions directly into the classroom setting, the program aims to enhance learning environments and promote better educational outcomes for students. This hands-on approach could revolutionize how educators address behavioral challenges, making it a promising development in the field of education.

What evidence suggests that the BEST in CLASS program is effective for teachers' sustainment of core components?

Research shows that the BEST in CLASS program, which participants in this trial will implement, helps teachers enhance their skills and confidence. Studies have found that teachers using this program manage their classrooms better and foster a more positive learning environment. Specifically, BEST in CLASS has significantly reduced ongoing challenging behaviors among young students. If unaddressed, these behaviors can lead to negative long-term outcomes. The program employs proven methods based on thorough testing and research. Overall, evidence supports that BEST in CLASS effectively enhances classroom management and improves interactions between teachers and students. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Bryce D McLeod, PhD

Principal Investigator

Virginia Commonwealth University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking teachers who taught K-3rd grade and used BEST in CLASS last year, families with school-age children proficient in English, and kids in K-3rd at risk for emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD) with externalizing behaviors.

Inclusion Criteria

Family participants proficient in English, have a school-age child or children, consent to participate

Children participants enrolled in a general Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade classroom, proficient in English, at elevated risk for EBD, demonstration of externalizing behaviors that interfere with participation in the classroom (e.g., disruption, aggression) as indicated by teacher rating, parental/guardian consent to participate

Teacher participants teach in general education Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade, consent to participate, proficient in English, participated as a BEST in CLASS teacher who received coaching in the prior year

Exclusion Criteria

Teacher participants do not teach in general education Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grades, were not part of the BEST in CLASS intervention condition in the year prior, do not consent to participate, do not speak fluent English, do not have at least one student that meets the inclusion criteria

Family participants do not speak proficient English, do not provide consent, do not have elementary aged children will be excluded

Children participants caregivers do not provide permission for participation, caregiver(s) do not speak proficient English, are not proficient in English, do not screen in as demonstrating risk for EBD

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Implementation

Teachers implement the BEST in CLASS treatment in their classrooms

9 months

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for sustainment of the BEST in CLASS program

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• BEST in CLASS

Trial Overview The study examines the long-term use of BEST in CLASS by teachers. It focuses on how well they continue to apply its core components after initial coaching to manage children at risk for EBD.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Implementation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Teachers will implement the BEST in CLASS treatment in their classrooms

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Virginia Commonwealth University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

732

Recruited

22,900,000+

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Collaborator

Trials

3,007

Recruited

2,852,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

An outcome-based educational intervention for general physicians led to a significant reduction in the total number of prescribed drugs and injections, as well as improved compliance with prescription guidelines, after 3 months.

While the intervention showed positive effects on certain prescribing behaviors, it did not significantly improve the prescribing of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents, indicating that further improvements are needed in these areas.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can rational prescribing be improved by an outcome-based educational approach? A randomized trial completed in Iran. Esmaily, HM., Silver, I., Shiva, S., et al.[2019]

Traditional didactic education and printed materials have not been effective in changing physician prescribing behavior, highlighting the need for more engaging and tailored educational methods.

Evidence-based educational strategies, such as interactive activities and audit feedback, have been shown to positively influence prescribing practices, as demonstrated by the successful DEANS program in Nova Scotia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Changing physician prescribing behaviour. Gray, J.[2018]

Education interventions significantly improved nurses' knowledge of evidence-based practice (EBP), with a large effect size (SMD = 2.01) reported in one clinical controlled trial.

Overall, these interventions also enhanced nurses' skills, attitudes, confidence, and behaviors related to EBP, suggesting that such training should be integrated into professional development for nurses.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of educational interventions on evidence-based practice for nurses in clinical settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sapri, ND., Ng, YT., Wu, VX., et al.[2022]

Internet-based education significantly improved patients' knowledge levels more than face-to-face education with a nurse in a study involving 147 ambulatory orthopedic surgery patients.

Both education methods were effective in enhancing knowledge, but there was no difference in the sufficiency of knowledge between the two groups, indicating that online education is a viable alternative in ambulatory care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ambulatory orthopaedic surgery patients' knowledge with internet-based education. Heikkinen, K., Leino-Kilpi, H., Salanterä, S.[2017]

The outcome-based educational intervention for general physicians in Iran significantly improved their knowledge and skills in rational prescribing, as reported by both trainers and participants four months after the program.

Participants noted that while the program enhanced their understanding, they faced challenges in applying this knowledge in real-world settings due to social and economic barriers, highlighting the need for supportive measures in practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How do physicians and trainers experience outcome-based education in "Rational prescribing"? Esmaily, HM., Vahidi, R., Fathi, NM., et al.[2018]

Citations

1. ies.ed.gov ies.ed.gov/use-work/awards/best-class-elementary-preventative-classroom-based-intervention-model

BEST in CLASS-Elementary: A Preventative Classroom-based ... In this project researchers developed and tested the BEST in CLASS-Elementary model for training and coaching early elementary school teachers.

2. files.eric.ed.gov files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1210700.pdf

Outcomes of the BEST in CLASS Intervention on Teachers ... Findings indicate BEST in CLASS positively impacted teachers' use of effective instructional practices, their sense of self-efficacy, and their overall ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9771779/

Professional Development Targeting Classroom ... A self-report measure of strategies was included in 23.8% of reviewed studies, and one study (2.4%) included a multiple-choice knowledge test.

4. studentbehaviorblog.org studentbehaviorblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/BEST-in-CLASS-2023-SPR_Presentation.pdf

Effectiveness Study of BEST in CLASS: A Tier 2 ... Research tells us that persistent challenging behavior has harmful long-term effects. Preschoolers are expelled more than 3 times the rate of children in any ...

5. bottemabeutel.com bottemabeutel.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Simonson-et-al.-evidence-based-practices.pdf

Evidence-based Practices in Classroom Management In line with these criteria, classroom management practices were considered evidence-based if they were (a) evaluated using sound experimental design and ...

6. safetyculture.com safetyculture.com/apps/safety-data-sheet-software

6 Best Safety Data Sheet Software of 2025 Top 6 Safety Data Sheet Software of 2025 · SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) · SpheraCloud · BackPack by Chemwatch · VelocityEHS · Labelmaster · 3E ...

7. cloudsds.com cloudsds.com/sds-management/top-20-safety-data-sheet-management-software-and-features-cloudsds/

Top 20 Safety Data Sheet Management Software and ... Are you searching for the best safety data sheet management software? Here is a comprehensive list of the industry's best SDS management software.

8. osha.gov osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA3885.pdf

Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs They also reflect what we have learned from best-in-class programs and what makes them effective. In particular, these recommended practices ...

9. youtube.com youtube.com/watch?v=_yWF-w3CwmU

SAFETY DATA SHEETS TRAINING VIDEO | By Ally Safety This SAFETY DATA SHEETS TRAINING VIDEO covers the 16 sections included in an SDS with examples. PURCHASE THE FULL-LENGTH TRAINING HERE: ...

10. reddit.com reddit.com/r/SafetyProfessionals/comments/14616rf/best_ehs_software/

Best EHS Software? : r/SafetyProfessionals