Feedback That Works: Using Behavior Science to Boost Student Success

Imagine this: You're a teacher, and your principal visits your classroom for a brief observation. Later that day, they approach you and casually mention, "You really need to step it up; engagement seemed low." No specifics, no clear suggestions, just a vague impression. How would you take it? Even if your principal meant well, would that comment genuinely inspire you to improve, or might it leave you feeling confused, frustrated, or discouraged? Chances are, you'd want more clarity and guidance.

This scenario highlights a common issue in educational settings—feedback that fails to guide specific improvements. Let's face it—providing effective feedback isn't always as straightforward as we'd like it to be. Too often, feedback is either too vague ("Great job!") or too harsh ("Seriously, did you even read the instructions?"). Neither extreme effectively guides students toward improved performance. But what if we approached feedback as a strategic behavioral intervention?

Feedback Tools

Behavior science offers powerful tools for shaping student performance through precise, timely, and actionable feedback. Here’s how to deliver feedback that genuinely drives improvement:

1. Pinpoint What Matters Effective feedback isn't generic—it's pinpointed. Instead of "Nice effort," highlight exactly what was done well: "Your introduction clearly stated your thesis, which sets up your argument nicely." This specificity informs the student precisely which behavior to repeat.
2. Immediate and Frequent Wins the Race Behavior is most influenced when feedback closely follows the action. Imagine if video games waited a month to show scores—players would quickly lose interest. The same principle applies in the classroom: timely feedback reinforces positive behaviors and swiftly corrects missteps.
3. Balance Reinforcement and Correction Behavior analysis tells us that reinforcement increases behavior more effectively than punishment reduces undesirable behavior. Aim for at least four positives for every corrective statement. Don't simply praise effort—reinforce actions that directly lead to improvement. And when corrections are needed, frame them as clear, actionable steps rather than vague criticisms.
4. Include Student Self-Assessment Feedback shouldn't just flow from teacher to student. Encourage students to self-assess by asking questions like, "What do you think worked well here?" or "How might you do this differently next time?" Self-assessment promotes ownership and internalizes standards for quality performance.
5. Make it Personal, but Professional Students engage better with feedback when they feel genuinely seen. Acknowledge their individual effort and improvement authentically, yet always tie comments back to clear academic goals. Personalizing feedback boosts motivation and demonstrates that their growth is recognized.

Feedback Tools Applied

Now, let's see these principles in action. Imagine Mrs. Thompson’s classroom: When her student, Jake, submits a writing assignment, Mrs. Thompson doesn't just say, "Good job!" Instead, she provides immediate, pinpointed feedback: "Jake, the details in your second paragraph vividly illustrate your point—keep doing this." She then balances reinforcement with correction by suggesting, "Next time, try organizing your conclusion similarly to strengthen your argument even further." To foster self-assessment, she asks, "What do you think you could change to make it clearer?" Her personal yet professional approach ensures Jake feels encouraged and motivated to improve.

Mrs. Thompson's example illustrates how transformative effective, behaviorally-informed feedback can be. If one teacher can spark meaningful improvement through thoughtful feedback, imagine the positive change that could ripple through an entire school or facility by consistently applying these principles. To bring this vision to life, consider becoming certified to deliver training through one of the Professional Crisis Management Association's (PCMA) specialized behavioral programs. PCMA equips schools and facilities with practical tools and strategies to create safer, more positive, and productive learning environments. Take the first step toward embedding meaningful feedback into your educational culture today by reaching out to [email protected].

About the Author

Specializing in human performance, coaching, and organizational leadership, Dr. Paul "Paulie" Gavoni is a behavior scientist and educator who has worked across education and human services for almost three decades. In this capacity, he has served the needs of children and adults through various positions, including COO, Vice President, Director of School Improvement, Leadership Director, Professor, Assistant Principal, School Turnaround Manager, Clinical Coordinator, Therapist, District Behavior Analyst, and Director of Progam Development and Public Relations at PCMA. Dr. Gavoni is passionate about applying Organizational Behavior Management (OBM), or the science of human behavior, to make a positive difference in establishing safe, productive, and engaging environments that bring out the best in faculty and staff so they can bring out the best in the learners they serve. He is an active board member of the Opioid Awareness Foundation and World Behavior Analysis Day Alliance.

Known for his authenticity and practical approaches, Dr. Gavoni is the host of the Top 1.5% globally ranked Crisis in Education Podcast and a sought-out speaker at various Educational and Behavior Analytic Conferences Internationally. He a the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling co-author of The Scientific Laws of Life & Leadership: Behavioral Karma; Quick Wins! Accelerating School Transformation through Science, Engagement, and Leadership; Deliberate Coaching: A Toolbox for Accelerating Teacher Performance; and MMA Science: A Training, Coaching, and Belt Ranking Guide. Dr. Gavoni is proud to introduce OBM and Applied Behavior Analysis to worldwide audiences through his numerous publications and his work with PCMA to create productive, safe, and positive cultures.

Beyond his work in education and human services, Dr. Gavoni is also a former Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion and a highly respected striking coach in combat sports. Coach “Paulie Gloves,” as he is known in the Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) community, has trained world champions and UFC vets using technologies rooted in the behavioral sciences. Coach Paulie has been featured in the books Beast: Blood, Struggle, and Dreams a the Heart of Mixed Martial Arts, A Fighter’s Way, and the featured article Ring to Cage: How four former boxers help mold MMA’s finest. He is also an author who has written extensively for various online magazines such as Scifighting, Last Word on Sports, and Bloody Elbow, where his Fight Science series continues to bring behavioral science to MMA. Finally, Paulie was also a featured fighter in FX’s highest-rated show at the time, The Toughman, and as an MMA coach in the Lifetime reality series Leave it to Geege.

Disclaimer: All ideas presented are original to the author. ChatGPT has been used solely to enhance the reading experience.