Project Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Check-in/Check-out (CICO) for improving social, emotional, and academic behavior of elementary school students at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). 

CICO is a manualized Tier 2 behavioral intervention commonly implemented within a multi-tiered framework and designed to improve the social and behavioral performance of students with emerging problem behavior. Research has indicated that CICO is a promising intervention for improving student outcomes, has high acceptability ratings from participants, and has shown feasibility of implementation in elementary school settings. However, evaluations of CICO have primarily used single-case research designs and high-quality group design studies are lacking.

This study will examine the efficacy of CICO for improving teacher instructional practices; student social, emotional, and academic behaviors; and parent perceptions of school partnership, and potential mediators or moderators of those effects. In addition, the cost and cost-effectiveness of the intervention will be examined.

Funding Period: 8/1/2019 – 7/31/2026

Amount: $3,267,804

Funder: National Center for Special Education Research

Awardee: University of Missouri – Columbia, subcontract with University of Wisconsin–Madison

Principal Investigator: Timothy Lewis

Co-Principal Investigators: Barbara Mitchell, Howard Wills, Stephen Kilgus

Students: Chloe Hendrix, Kierin Barnet, Anna Keebler, Olivia Kamer, Gabby Abrams