The Iowa Behavioral Initiative is a staff development venture designed to help educators with the increasingly complex student behaviors which seem to defy former standards of intervention. Participation in the Initiative activities provides general and special educators with practical, validated strategies for dealing with student behavior problems. This booklet examines what is known about challenging behaviors and discusses issues and concerns in serving students with behavioral problems. An educational philosophy is presented, emphasizing Iowa's commitment to ensuring the social, emotional, and behavioral preparedness of all students. Beliefs supporting this philosophy are outlined, such as achieving student discipline through instruction rather than coercion, focusing on prevention and early intervention, and viewing the child as part of a family with complex needs and strengths. Attitudes, skills, and systems most likely to lead to student behavioral success and a positive school climate are spelled out. The mission and goals of the Iowa Behavioral Initiative are presented, and each of the five components is discussed: (1) the Behavioral Teams Academy, (2) the Statewide Behavioral Disorders Network, (3) the Interagency Cadre, (4) demonstration sites, and (5) information dissemination. (Contains 17 references.) (JDD)