Individuals with disabilities may exhibit dangerous behavior such as physical aggression and self-injury. Determining the environmental variables maintaining dangerous behavior using a functional behavior assessment can inform treatment in teaching individuals with disabilities functionally equivalent replacement behavior. However, logistic…

We reviewed the literature on function-based interventions (FBIs) implemented by school personnel in K-8 general education settings with a focus on intervention implementation. We identified 34 studies (70 students and FBIs) that met criteria for this review. For more than half of studies and participants, FBIs were implemented by general…

According to federal mandates, if a student's behavior impedes their learning or the learning of others, the individualized education program team is required to address this with a functional behavioral assessment (FBA). The intent of the FBA is to determine the function, or reason, of the impeding behavior for the development of a behavioral…

Disproportionality in discipline has been well-documented in the research literature (Achilles, McLaughlin, & Croninger, 2007; Losen & Gillespie, 2012; Gregory, Skiba, & Mediratta, 2017; Skiba, Peterson, & Williams, 1997). Students from diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with disabilities are removed from their classrooms more…

Exemplifying the insufficient treatment of legal issues in refereed journals in special education and related fields, the limited legal coverage of functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) tends to view the applicable case law through normative lenses. This skewed view characterizes the case law as requiring…

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that each child identified as a student with a disability be provided free and appropriate education (FAPE). This is accomplished through the implementation of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed by parents and school personnel. This plan guides the provision of…

This study examined the feasibility and effectiveness of a comprehensive function-based intervention applied across multiple inclusive classroom settings. The participant was a middle school student diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome who exhibited chronic off-task behaviors across all academic environments. This study was conducted across two…

The presence of challenging and violent behaviors that pose risks to the overall safety and the educational learning experience in the public education setting have been on the rise in recent years. Traditional reactive, coercive, and punitive measures to address these behaviors have been futile. Congress responded to the national increase in…

Examines likely changes in the roles and responsibilities of public school personnel from the implementation of disciplinary provisions of the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Also addresses implementing functional behavioral assessments and behavioral intervention plans, and provides guidelines for implementing…