With the increase of students with autism in public schools, alternative schools, and in-home programming, attention to effective learning procedures has increased. A general model based on precision teaching for practicing behavior to fluency is presented as a guide for teachers and parents. This model applies to a wide variety of skills and can…

This article points out the demonstrated effectiveness of behavioral interventions across a broad spectrum of school populations. The article discusses the following aspects of applying reinforcement techniques in the classroom: commonly used behavioral terminology, reinforcer selection, critical application factors, advantages and disadvantages,…

Identifies essential features of behavior modification programs and applies them to children who have disabilities. Discussion and examples are organized around four steps of behavior modification: (1) define and measure the target behavior; (2) identify under what conditions the behavior occurs; (3) identify factors causing or maintaining the…

Twenty academic and curriculum strategies are presented to proactively address the social and academic strengths of students with attention problems in general education classrooms, including: using teacher collaboration, using a more global learning style, incorporating peer involvement, modifying seating arrangements, incorporating picture…

This article highlights how instructional management differs from behavior management in terms of common practice, and demonstrates how an instructional strategy used to address persistent academic errors, called "precorrection," can be applied to change chronic problem behaviors. Seven basic correction and precorrection steps are…

Eight behavioral management terms/concepts commonly encountered in the special education literature are defined and discussed in terms of commonly occurring confusions. They are positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment, extinction, differential reinforcement of other behavior, timeout, response cost, and overcorrection. (DB)

This article explains how to implement "unified discipline" as a school-wide approach to managing problem behavior, an approach designed to support educators in meeting the needs of students with emotional and behavioral problems in general education classrooms by establishing unified attitudes, expectations, correction procedures, and team roles.…

This article describes the Good Student Game, a classroom management tool that uses a game format to help students monitor appropriate classroom behavior such as staying seated and working quietly. It provides recommendations for playing the game and results from three classrooms demonstrating the effectiveness of the game. (Contains references.)…

Behavioral strategies appropriate for use with students having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are discussed and grouped into antecedent manipulations (such as physical arrangement and peer tutoring); consequent manipulations (reprimands, teacher attention, and contingency contracting); and cognitive behavioral interventions…

This article presents some considerations and ideas for managing students' resistance. They are organized around four topics: the impact of context on behavior, the importance of being comprehensive and nonrestrictive in behavior, the adaptive function of resistant behavior, and the benefit of joining children in their frame of reference.…

Provides teachers with basic information needed to prevent and manage aggressive children and youth, specifically, information on stages of crises (frustration stage, defensiveness stage, aggression stage, and self-control stage), effective strategies for each stage, and prevention strategies designed specifically for public school classrooms.…

Describes what is meant by "positive behavioral support" (PBS) for students with challenging behavior, the value of exploring why a student exhibits challenging behavior, and certain key PBS strategies teachers can implement in their classrooms. Relevant resources for those interested in implementing PBS are provided. (Author/CR)

This article provides guidelines for conducting culturally sensitive functional assessments by forming a diverse multidisciplinary team, employing culturally sensitive ways of selecting target behaviors, collecting data on students and their behavior, analyzing data and formulating hypotheses; and developing culturally responsive behavioral…

Explains how cognitive behavior modification (CBM) can be used to teach students self-control through increased awareness of cognitive processes and effects of behavior. Briefly describes three CBM procedures: (1) observational learning, (2) self-instruction, and (3) self-monitoring. Offers specific guidelines for implementing self-instruction and…

Describes a 10-step process that educators can use when conducting functional assessments and developing Behavioral Intervention Plans required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 for students with disabilities with behavior problems. A case study is provided to illustrate the process. (Author/CR)