Skip to main content

Breadcrumb

Home arrow_forward_ios Information on ... arrow_forward_ios Build the FRaME ...
Home arrow_forward_ios ... arrow_forward_ios Build the FRaME ...
Information on ...
Grant Closed

Build the FRaME: Using Feedback, Reflection, and Multimedia to Teach Evidence-Based Practices for Effective Classroom Management

NCSER
Program: Special Education Research Grants
Program topic(s): Educators and School-Based Service Providers
Award amount: $1,399,756
Principal investigator: Michael Kennedy
Awardee:
University of Virginia
Year: 2020
Award period: 5 years (07/01/2020 - 06/30/2025)
Project type:
Development and Innovation
Award number: R324A200061

Purpose

This project aimed to develop and test FRaME (Using Feedback, Reflection, and Multimedia to teach Evidence-based practices in classroom management), a multicomponent, multimedia intervention aimed at improving the ability of teacher educators and school leaders to deliver actionable, evidence-based performance feedback, and improving teacher use of evidence-based practices (EBPs), student engagement, and overall instructional quality. This intervention incorporates Content Acquisition Podcasts with Embedded Modeling Videos (CAP-TV), structured reflection tools, and the Capturing Observations and Collaboratively sHaring Educational Data (COACHED) platform. Teacher candidates and novice educators consistently report feeling underprepared to implement evidence-based classroom management practices, particularly for students with disabilities or those demonstrating challenging behaviors. A key barrier is the inconsistent quality and specificity of feedback provided during preparation and early professional experiences. This project sought to address this gap and determine (a) the effects of FRaME on feedback quality across multiple professional roles, (b) the usability and feasibility of FRaME for diverse faculty and school personnel, (c) the effects of FRaME on teacher candidates’ and practicing teachers’ classroom management implementation, (d) its impact on students with and without disabilities, and (e) the cost-effectiveness of in-person versus virtual implementation. 

Project Activities

FRaME was developed and refined through a multi-phase mixed-methods process across five years. In the first year, researchers conducted qualitative interviews to document variation in classroom-management instruction and inform substantial revisions to multimedia components.  During the next 2 years, they focused on iterative usability and feasibility studies of CAP-TV, reflection processes, and the COACHED feedback system across teacher preparation programs nationwide. In the final 2 years, researchers conducted rigorous pilot studies in university programs, randomized controlled trials with teacher candidates in authentic classrooms, single-case design studies with rural educators, and a school-leader coaching study evaluating the use of COACHED within ongoing instructional supervision systems. Two major professional development institutes, in 2023 and 2025, trained faculty across more than 50 programs. 

Structured Abstract

Setting

FRaME was implemented across more than 50 teacher preparation programs nationwide and in K–12 classrooms in rural, suburban, and urban contexts. University-based studies primarily involved special education and classroom management courses. School-based studies involved elementary and middle school settings, including (a) rural schools participating in a multi-tier single-case design, and (b) elementary schools implementing school leader coaching using COACHED. 

Sample

In the first year, 37 faculty across 33 universities participated. In the subsequent years, 77 faculty participated in usability, feasibility, and effectiveness explorations in the two FRaME Institutes. In the last 2 years, 19 teachers and 331 students (approximately 12.5% with IEPs) participated in the pilot studies, 5 rural teachers participated in the single-case research, and 16 teachers participated in the school implementation study. 

Intervention

FRaME is a multicomponent instructional and coaching intervention intended to strengthen educators’ implementation of evidence-based classroom management practices. There are three core elements: (a) CAP-TV multimedia vignettes providing declarative and procedural knowledge with embedded modeling videos from real classrooms; (b) a structured reflection matrix prompting teachers to analyze, interpret, and refine their use of EBPs; and (c) COACHED, a data-driven observation and automated feedback system that generates initial evidence-based feedback drafts, which observers refine before delivering to teachers. Using FRaME, participants across studies learned and implemented five core EBPs for classroom management. In the final year, school leaders also learned to support teachers’ academic-specific feedback.  

Research design and methods

Researchers used a multi-phase, mixed-methods research design to iteratively develop, refine, and pilot test FRaME. In the first year, the team conducted qualitative interviews and focus groups to document existing approaches to teaching classroom management and to gather formative feedback on initial intervention components that guided substantial revisions to the FRaME multimedia vignettes, reflection processes, and data-driven coaching tools. In the next 2 years, the research team completed iterative usability and feasibility studies using experimental two-group, pretest, posttest, and maintenance designs to evaluate the effects of FRaME on teacher candidates’ declarative and procedural knowledge of classroom management practices and their ability to apply these practices in microteaching or course-based performance assessments. Data informed revisions to the CAP-TV videos, reflective matrices, and COACHED-generated feedback. In the final 2 years, researchers conducted pilot trials of the full FRaME intervention in authentic school settings, including a single-case design with middle school teachers  and a study with school leaders, teachers, and their students. Researchers also compared the effectiveness and feasibility of teaching the FRaME process to teacher educators across two FRaME training institutes. In a pretest-posttest design, researchers explored feedback quality of teacher educators using their business-as-usual approach and then again after using FRaME materials. During the second institute, there was an online-only comparison condition so that researchers could compare costs and feasibility of learning online. 

Key measures

Measures assessed teacher knowledge, performance, feedback quality, feasibility/usability, and student engagement. Researchers used COACHED to assess teacher candidates’ knowledge of evidence-based classroom management practices and application of evidence-based practices through microteaching videos and school-based lesson observations. Researchers measured frequency and quality of behavior-specific praise and opportunities to respond through systematic direct observation and through COACHED implementation markers. They also documented baseline practices and growth in active supervision, opportunities to respond, praise, prompting, and routines using the Classroom Teaching Scan and the Classroom Management Observation Tool. Researchers measured feedback quality and changes in feedback quality using the Quality of Written Performance Feedback for Improvement of Practices and Process (Q-WIPP), a researcher-created measure. Researchers also measured FRaME using surveys and interviews from faculty, school leaders, and teacher candidates, and measured change in teacher self-efficacy using the Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale. Researchers used the Behavioral Observation of Students in Schools (BOSS) tool to measure student engagement over time. 

Data analytic strategy

Researchers used thematic coding of first year interview data to identify perceptions of classroom management instruction, needs for multimedia-supported training, and recommendations for refining FRaME components. Across subsequent years, researchers used qualitative feedback from instructors, school leaders, and candidates to refine intervention features and interpret implementation processes. Reflexive thematic analysis supported identification of themes related to personalized feedback, opportunities to respond, praise use, usability, and practicality. Across the second through fourth years, mixed-model ANOVAs were used to test for differences within and between groups across pretest, posttest, and maintenance time points on knowledge measures and teacher implementation outcomes captured through video-coded lessons. Researchers used regression analyses to examine whether gains in knowledge predicted higher fidelity implementation of evidence-based practices as measured by COACHED and other observational tools. For the single-case design study, researchers used visual analysis of trend, level, and stability, along with effect size indices. Teacher and student outcomes were compared across baseline, intervention, and maintenance phases. For the final teacher implementation study, researchers used the BOSS direct observation system to observe students with and without disabilities’ on task behavior and engagement during lessons taught by teachers being coached. Data were analyzed using a pretest-posttest design for school leaders, teachers, and students across three time points. Researchers integrated qualitative and quantitative findings through triangulation of teacher knowledge outcomes, implementation fidelity, feedback quality, participant perceptions, and student engagement.  

Cost analysis strategy

Using the ingredients approach, costs were calculated across training modes, staffing, COACHED use, CAP-TV development, and personnel time. Cost distributions across universities, districts, and schools were estimated, and per-participant estimates inform scalability.  The second training institute demonstrated equivalent outcomes for virtual and in-person formats, with virtual delivery costing approximately $48,000 less with no decrement in outcomes. 

Key outcomes

The main findings of this project, as reported by the principal investigator, are as follows: 

  • Feedback quality improved dramatically for faculty and school leaders in nearly every Q-WIPP domain (specificity, strategy statements, corrective suggestions, connections to data, and goals).  
  • The virtual and in-person training did not differ in effectiveness and the virtual training cost approximately $48,000 less, supporting scalability and efficiency. 
  • Following FRaME coaching, teachers increased the quantity and quality of key evidence-based classroom management practices, including behavior-specific praise, opportunities to respond, and academic-specific feedback (Speight et al., 2025). 
  • Student engagement increased for learners with and without disabilities, with students with IEPs improving from 50% to 70% total engagement and non-IEP peers from 74% to 85%. Using COACHED, teachers used more evidence-based practices following coaching from their school principal.   
  • Faculty, school leaders, and teachers consistently rated FRaME as clear, useful, and impactful, with more than 87% strongly agreeing the professional development improved their teaching and feedback practices.  

People and institutions involved

IES program contact(s)

Courtney Pollack

Education Research Analyst
NCSER

Project contributors

Sarah Nagro

Co-principal investigator
George Mason University

Shanna Hirsch

Co-principal investigator
Clemson University

Peter Youngs

Co-principal investigator
University of Virginia

Products and publications

Project website:

https://www.buildtheframe.com

Study registration:

https://osf.io/h3m5f

Publications:

ERIC Citations: Find available citations in ERIC for this award here.    

Select Publications:  

Speight, R., Hirsch, S., Kennedy, M. J., Michaud, C., Qualls, L., and Aigotti, S. (2025). Supporting rural educators’ implementation quality of classroom management practices: A professional development study. Teaching and Teacher Education. doi: 10.1016/j.tate/2025.105317 

Hirsch, S. E., Kelley, M., & Qualls, L. W. (2025). Preparing the next generation of educators to implement classroom positive behavior interventions and supports. In T. J. Lewis, B. Simonsen, K. McIntosh, and H. P. George (Eds.), Handbook of positive behavior supports, 2nd edition. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-96102-1_18 

Kennedy, M., Kunemund, R., Coleman, O., Griendling, L., Peeples, K., Day, J., Waterfield, D., McClain, S. (2024). Harnessing technology to support special education teachers. In E. McCray, E. Bettini, M. Brownell, J. McLeskey, & Sindelar, P. (Eds.). Handbook of research on special education teacher preparation (2nd Ed). Routledge.  

Youngs, P., Hirsch, S. E., Nagro, S., & Kennedy, M. (2023). Approaches to teaching classroom management at 33 universities: More commonality than difference? Teacher Education and Special Education. 46(4), 284-299. https://doi.org/10.1177/08884064231170577 

Kennedy, M. J., Kunemund, R., & Griendling, L. M. (2023). Using multimedia to support teacher candidates’ knowledge and use of evidence-based classroom management practices. In E. Sabornie & D. Espelage (Eds.), Handbook of Classroom Management: Research, Practice, and Issues. Routledge.  

Kennedy, M. J., Kunemund, R., Griendling, L., & Kellems, R. (2023). Use assistive and instructional technology. In J. McLeskey, L. Maheady, B. Billingsley, M. Brownell, T. Lewis, & Alber-Morgan, S. (Eds.) High leverage practices for intensive interventions. Routledge.  

Hirsch, S. E., Larson, K., Beahm, L., & Bradshaw, C. P. (2022). Adapting classroom management for delivery across contexts: A focus on urban, rural, and online settings. In E. Sabornie and D. Espelage (Eds). Handbook of classroom management: Research, practice, and issues, 3rd edition (pp 128-151). Routledge.   

Qualls, L., Carlisle, L., & Day, J., & Hirsch, S. E. (2022). Selecting and  integrating high-quality videos into preservice education. Journal of Special Education Preparation, 2(1), 38-47. doi: 10.33043/JOSEP.2.1.38-47 

Nagro, S., Hirsch, S., & Kennedy, M. J. (2020). A self-led approach to improving classroom management practices using video analysis.  Teaching Exceptional Children, 53(1), 24-32.  doi: 10.1177/0040059920914329 

Additional project information

Additional online resources and information:  

COACHED is available at www.coached.education.virginia.edu, CAP-TVs, and reflection matrices are contained within the platform.  

Video 1: https://vimeo.com/673300069 Teach and Re-Teach Expectations and Procedures 

Video 2: https://vimeo.com/673305723 Provide Prompts and Precorrections 

Video 3: https://vimeo.com/673374070 Provide Behavior-Specific Praise Statements 

Video 4: https://vimeo.com/673745162 Use OTRs  

Video 5: https://vimeo.com/673789095 Provide Behavior-Specific Redirections 

Video 6: https://vimeo.com/936009520 Academic Specific Feedback 

Questions about this project?

To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.

 

Tags

DisabilitiesEducatorsTeaching

Share

Icon to link to Facebook social media siteIcon to link to X social media siteIcon to link to LinkedIn social media siteIcon to copy link value

Questions about this project?

To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.

 

You may also like

Zoomed in IES logo
Workshop/Training

Teaching Fractions with Confidence: Strategies and...

May 12, 2026
Read More
Zoomed in IES logo
Publication/Product Release

Mathematics Intervention Toolkit: High-Quality Res...

April 29, 2026
Read More
Blue zoomed in IES logo
Research insights

The Hidden Gap: Students Have Tools—But Do They Kn...

April 13, 2026 by Sarah Brasiel
Read More
icon-dot-govicon-https icon-quote