The effect of Teacher and Parent Training (called 'Hitkashrut') for Young Children with Conduct Problems

The proposed RCT of modular Teacher Training (TT) with/without Parent Training (PT) for early onset CP follows the development of Hitkashrut’s PT for preschoolers with CP and the completion of a 3-year RCT. Currently, Hitkashrut‘s PT is being disseminated, while a recently developed TT intervention has been implemented in 2013-4 by trained educational psychologists who are working in 6 cities that are already providing PT. Hitkashrut’s TT is a classwide program with an optional Individualized Positive Behavior Support component (IPBS). The modular design of TT and the option of a conjoining TTCI and PT enable the testing of interventions with increasing level of intensity. TT is our general term for teacher training. At minimum it is Teacher Training Classwide (TTC) and at maximum it is Teacher Training Classwide bolstered by the IPBS component (TTCI). The 4-group design includes the following conditions: 1. A no intervention Control group (CONT); 2. Teacher Training Classwide (TTC); 3. TTC bolstered by an IPBS component (TTCI); 4. TTCI with the addition of PT (TTCI+PT). Interventions: PT: PT groups of 5-7 couples (mother and father) meet for 14 two-hour weekly semi-structured sessions co-facilitated by two group leaders. The overall strategy focuses on reducing negative, coercive and inconsistent interactions while increasing security,regulation, and cooperation in parent-child, parent-teacher, and teacher-child relationships. TT: Hitkashrut‘s model has been adapted to the kindergarten context. The 30-hour 10-session program incorporates established TT practices such as classroom management (e.g., the Good Behavior Game) that were culturally adapted, Teacher self-regulation, Discipline skills, etc. Altogether, the program reflects Hitkashrut’s strategic emphasis on strengthening secure, regulated, and cooperative relationships. For the TTC interventions, the teachers need to attend ten 3-hour training sessions. They begin to administer the intervention to students during the course of training. The additional component of TTCI intervention (IPBS) is administered when the teachers attend additional ten 3-hour training sessions. Again, they administer the intervention to students during the course of training.The IPBS is administered when the teachers create a contingency management intervention with an individual student. It is administered over a period of 2-3 month during which the teachers learn how to implement the intervention and are participating in the training. Hitkashrut’s TT and PT incorporates at home/school behavioral management procedures that we term Individualized Positive Behavior Support (IPBS). IPBS targets both negative/inconsistent and positive parent/teacher practices. (e.g., praise, tangible rewards, and differential reinforcement). For groups that receive more than one intervention, the interventions are administered simultaneously. Regarding strategies used to monitor adherence to the intervention, the facilitators monitor adherence during the training sessions by regularly opening each session with a report on the implementation of the interventions, followed by a discussion of specific problems or issues faced by the teachers. We also use program a program adherence questionnaire that is filled by teachers and facilitators at the end of training.