This article outlines a proactive framework for preventing and remediating challenging behaviors in preschool- and elementary-aged children through the implementation of functional behavioral assessments and the disciplinary provisions outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1997. The model requires assessing environments,…

Fourteen studies were reviewed to examine the utility, acceptability, and practicality of functional behavioral assessment (FBA) conducted with students with high-incidence behavior problems in school settings. Results indicate FBA was effective, that FBA could be performed in typical school environments, and that FBA produced socially valid…

This article presents an overview of several pivotal response interventions. Areas discussed include responsivity to multiple cues, motivation to initiate and respond appropriately to social and environmental stimuli, and self-regulation of behaviors. The trend to streamline intervention by targeting behaviors that have a widespread effect on…

Marian and Keller Breland pioneered the application of operant psychology to commercial animal training during the 1940s and 1950s. The Brelands' story is relatively unknown in the history of behavior analysis. Using information from the Breland-Bailey papers, this paper describes the development and activities of Animal Behavior Enterprises…

Social competency deficits are a core feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). During the past several decades, a number of social skill interventions for students with ASD have emerged. However, over the past five years, three converging issues have brought increased attention to the need for social competence programming: (1) increased ASD…

Numerous researchers have employed functional communication training (FCT) to address both the communication and behavioral needs of children with autism. Thus, the purpose of this review is to examine FCT, particularly, the environments and individuals involved in the training and the effectiveness of FCT with children who have a diagnosis of…

Kurt Lewin's seminal work in organizational communication could potentially help solve many dilemmas faced by workplace literacy programs as they attempt to ensure that program participants not only learn basic skills but also use them in the context of work. According to Lewin's "field theory" approach, an individual's behavior is a…

Concentrating on hearing reading rather than parents reading to children, this literature review examines research into parents' participation in their children's literacy development with the aim of providing information to assist school practice. The review focuses on attention to British studies involving systematic analysis of carefully…

A survey (Jevne, 1981) conducted to determine Canadian counselor competencies revealed that, of the nine areas considered important for counselor training, the 304 respondents in the field of counseling ranked training in consulting as sixth in importance. Prompted by these results, a literature review was conducted to determine if consulting was…

This paper summarizes a diverse body of literature on Achievement Place, a community-based program for juveniles in group home settings. The program's Teaching-Family treatment model is described in detail as a base for presenting findings about its ability to change behaviors. Preliminary data from follow-up studies of attempts to extend the…

The author reviews literature supporting the importance of cooperative parent-teacher relationships for exceptional children and describes a graduate level course offered at Rhode Island College on behavior management for parents and teachers of exceptional children and youth with behavior problems. Both advantages and problems with offering a…

Reviews principles of rational behavior therapy. Presents model for changing the way one feels by changing the way one thinks for use by experiential educators during rockcraft, caving, or high ropes course briefings/debriefings to teach students to think rationally, feel more positive about themselves, and take responsibility for their lives.…

This meta-analysis investigated the effects of formative evaluation procedures on student achievement. Twenty-one controlled studies generated 96 relevant effect sizes (average weighted effect size .70). Magnitude of effect of formative evaluation was associated with publication type, data-evaluation method, data display, and use of behavior…

The article reviews and synthesizes judicial rulings related to corporal punishment, behavior management strategies, suspension and expulsion, and residential placement. Recent court decisions are discussed; issues related to behaviorally disordered students' rights are examined; and recommendations for practice are presented. (Author/JW)

This article reviews critically the published behavioral approaches for the reduction of nonconfrontive stealing behavior in school-aged children. Treatment approaches discussed in this paper include aversive and positive contingency management, parent-training, self-control, as well as other interventions aimed at prevention of stealing in…