Introduction to the Special Section: Precision Teaching: Discoveries and Applications

Bulla et al. (2021) wrote the opening letter for a special section on precision teaching.

They did not run a new experiment. Instead, they told readers what the next six articles would show.

The focus is the standard celeration chart: a simple graph that tracks how fast a child can read, write, or say sounds.

The letter previews real classroom uses of the chart.

One article shows a teen with autism who learned clear speech sounds.

Another shows teachers who boosted math facts in general-ed classes.

All articles give step-by-step pictures of the charts so you can copy them.

Aravamudhan et al. (2021) extends this work. They used the same chart plus extra prompts to help a young learners with autism speak clearer syllables.

Dykens et al. (1991) is a predecessor. That older study ran a full ABA school program without the chart yet still got big learning gains. The new articles add the chart as a faster way to see progress.

Plant et al. (2007) is methodologically similar. Both give teachers quick visual feedback. The 2007 paper used simple bar graphs to raise praise; the 2021 articles use celeration charts to raise student fluency.

Falligant et al. (2025) also trains staff in groups. The special section adds charting as another tool for those same group trainings.

If you work in schools or clinics, flip to the articles in this section. Each one hands you a ready-to-use chart and a clear goal line. Start tomorrow: pick one skill, count corrects per minute, and plot the dots. You will see gains or gaps in real time and can adjust on the fly.