ASHEVILLE, N.C (828newsNOW) — For students struggling with behavioral or social challenges, success in the classroom can depend on more than what happens during the school day. Strong communication and collaboration between families and teachers can also play an important role.
In rural communities, however, families and schools may have limited access to behavioral health services and other resources.
A research team working with East Tennessee State University is studying an approach designed to help bridge that gap — and schools, teachers and parents in Western North Carolina are invited to participate.
The five-year research project is studying Teachers and Parents as Partners, or TAPP, an intervention that brings parents and teachers together to address a student’s individual needs. The study is examining the effectiveness of delivering TAPP remotely through technology, an approach known as Tele-TAPP.
The project is funded by a $3.8 million grant from the Institute of Education Sciences.
Connecting families and schools
TAPP is a family-school partnership intervention developed by researchers to build on students’ strengths while encouraging collaboration between parents and teachers. The goal is to improve students’ academic, behavioral and social outcomes.
For rural communities, Tele-TAPP allows that collaboration and support to take place using distance technology.
The project is led by Amanda Witte, research associate professor at the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, and Schools. The research team also includes researchers from the center as well as East Tennessee State University.
ETSU researchers involved in the project include Pam Mims, professor of special education and associate dean of research and grants, and Kim Hale, professor of educational foundations and special education.
Researchers hope Tele-TAPP can provide additional support for children whose social, behavioral or mental health challenges may interfere with learning, particularly in rural communities where access to services may be limited.
Who can participate?
The study involves participating elementary schools along with parents and teachers of students in Pre-K through sixth grade who have learning or behavioral concerns.
Participation is voluntary, and information collected as part of the study is kept confidential. Parents, teachers and schools interested in the project can learn more about participating in the Tele-TAPP study.
Parents and teachers who enroll are randomly assigned to one of two groups: Typical School Services or School Services + TAPP.
Participants in both groups complete surveys that assess the student’s behaviors, current practices and the home-school partnership. The research also includes video classroom observations and parent interviews conducted over approximately 12 weeks.
Teachers and parents receive compensation for participating in the study.
Students, teachers and parents assigned to the Typical School Services group continue receiving the services already provided by their school. Researchers also collect information about programs and practices being delivered in participating schools and classrooms.
In the School Services + TAPP group, a student’s teacher and parents attend approximately four meetings with a trained TAPP consultant. The consultant participates remotely using distance technology such as Zoom.
During those meetings, the consultant, teacher and parents work together to create a student behavior plan designed to be both meaningful and practical while providing additional support for the student.
An opportunity for Western North Carolina families and educators
By studying Tele-TAPP in rural Appalachian elementary schools, researchers are examining whether technology can help strengthen partnerships between families and schools while addressing barriers to behavioral and social support.
For Western North Carolina parents and teachers who work with a young student experiencing learning, behavioral or social concerns, participation offers an opportunity to contribute to that research while receiving support focused on collaboration between home and school.
Interested in participating? Parents, teachers and schools in Western North Carolina can learn more about Tele-TAPP, eligibility and how to get started.