Jeff W. McCombie

Approximately 68 classroom teachers participated in a preliminary evaluation of Response Ability Pathways (RAP), a reclaiming training course for adults who work with children and youth. RAP offers basic training in the Circle of Courage Model and provides participants with general strategies for assisting youth who are experiencing challenges. The study used a post-test only design with two groups: a RAP trained group (n = 29) and a comparison group (n = 39). Based on responses to a series of questionnaires that were completed approximately 6 to 8 months following RAP training, RAP trained school personnel were (a) less likely to endorse causal factors to help explain student misbehavior, (b) more humanistic/cooperative in their orientation to student relationships, (c) less likely to use restrictive interventions, and (d) less likely to refer students to principals or counselors for possible disciplinary action.