Using Data to Inform an Educational Staff Training Manual: Pilot Study

• Main Authors: Jillian Dawes, John Lum, Jennifer Silber Carr, Nathan Lambright, Stephanie Child
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ralph W. Steen Library, Stephen F. Austin State University 2020-02-01
• Series: Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice
• Online Access: https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1068&context=jhstrp

Evidence-based staff training in education is limited in the research literature. While several targeted components of staff training exist, no prior research has combined evidence-based procedures into a multi-component staff training manual. The purpose of the current pilot study was to improve training for new staff in a special education setting. A needs assessment indicated social validity in developing and implementing programs for behavior support plan training and phasing-in staff during training. Based on this data, a manual was developed to include comprehensive training procedures. While the amount of data was limited, results indicate some initial support for the manualized training. Additional research is warranted given the novelty of a multi-component manual for training staff in a special education setting.