The efficacy of conjoint behavioral consultation-student involvement (CBC-S) on spelling homework in the middle school setting

The long-term outcomes for students demonstrating poor academic progress are significant. There is a need to develop a greater understanding of interventions that have the capacity to increase academic skills, particularly in younger students. The study assessed the efficacy of conjoint behavioral consultation including student involvement (CBC-S paired with a homework intervention package) as an intervention tool to increase student rates of homework completion and accuracy. The focus on CBC-S paired with a homework intervention package was expected to promote positive behaviors supportive of increased school engagement. The study included 2 male student participants and 1 female student participant in the 6th grade, ages 11-12. The male students, JW and IP, were European American and the female student, CM, was identified as Native American. All students attended a middle school in a medium-sized, Midwestern city. This study yielded mixed results on the efficacy of the CBC-S homework intervention package on homework completion and accuracy rates. Positive mean changes were found for two of the three students for the homework completion variable. Treatment stability, immediacy effect, and level changes were demonstrated for homework completion across students. Negligible mean changes were found for all three students for the homework accuracy variable and treatment stability occurred during the treatment phases for two of the three students. CBC-S paired with the homework intervention package increased student homework completion for two of the three students. Although this study increased our understanding of the effect of CBC-S and a homework intervention package on middle school student academic success in the area of spelling, more research is needed. The effect of CBC-S and the homework intervention package could also be assessed across several other academic subjects, including mathematics, science, and social studies. These subjects would provide permanent product, standardized and objective homework worksheets. This would provide essential information on the generalizability of the increased level of student engagement as measured by homework completion and accuracy.