This study reviewed prominent journals within the field of emotional and behavioral disorders to identify direct observation approaches, reported reliability statistics, and key features of direct observation. Selected journals were systematically reviewed for the past 10 years identifying and quantifying specific direct observation systems and…

The quality of classrooms serving students with emotional and behavioral disabilities (EBD) is a continuing concern because of its influence on students' educational outcomes. Program evaluation of classrooms for students with EBD has been a recommended practice for many years since Grosenick, George, and George (1987) conducted their…

In assessing future prospects of the field of behavioral disorders, examines two areas: (1) early intervention for prevention and (2) inclusion and preparation of teachers. Discusses the need for increased attention to scientific and data-based decision making in the areas of early intervention and teacher preparation, and the establishment of…

This article urges a more scientific approach to evaluation of effective practices in the field of emotional or behavioral disorders. It suggests that the rigor of analytical narrative synthesis and meta-analyses are more useful than qualitative approaches. The evaluative power of these two approaches is illustrated by examples related to…

The article reviews legislative and associated initiatives of the British Columbia Ministry of Education since the 1988 Sullivan Royal Commission on Education report. It stresses the need to move behavior-disordered students into regular classes in regular schools, a move supported by both the educational literature and legislation. (Author/DB)

Reviews current issues that affect the education of students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Discusses best-practice methods by educators; student placement, including increased reliance on alternative schools and other nontraditional settings; and job expectations and working conditions of teachers who work with troubled students.…

A scientific, rule-governed approach to solving problems suggests the following assumptions: we need different rules for different purposes; rules are grounded in values; the origins and applications of rules are often misunderstood; personal experience and idea popularity are unreliable; and all truths are tentative. Each assumption is related to…

This article focuses on current theories and practices in educating students with behavioral disorders, including the intrapsychic, psychoeducational, and structured/behavioral models. The history of the field is reviewed and a practical way of viewing behavior from a theoretical perspective is offered, with examples connecting theory and…

Conversations with state department representatives in four Midwestern states produced a discussion of trends and commentary on the status of state definitions of behavioral disorders/emotional disturbance, as well as identification practices and procedures. Among concerns expressed are the need to be more systematic in gathering behavioral data.…

This article highlights the three sets of policy issues that particularly affect students with emotional and behavioral disorders: issues related to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; continued concerns with school discipline and safety; and the focus on accountability in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. (Contains references.)…

This paper reviews the research concerning critical elements of early intervention with children at risk for emotional/behavioral disorders. It examines: (1) literature search procedures and criteria; (2) conduct of the intervention including participant characteristics, types of interventions, types of measures, age of onset, and length of…

This monograph provides an overview of intervention and programming strategies for students with emotional/behavioral disorders (E/BD) based on the behavioral approach. It reviews the progress of the behavioral perspective in education from its earliest beginnings to the present and describes its major characteristics, chief proponents,…

In this introductory article, the main features of positive behavior support are described, including a prevention-focused continuum of support, proactive instructional approaches to teaching and improving social behaviors, conceptually sound and empirically validated practices, systems change to support effective practices, and data-based…

This guide is intended to help school administrators to consider the impact of cultural diversity in the development and implementation of school disciplinary policies while complying with the 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. First it examines how cultural bias, misunderstanding, and insensitivity may impede student and teacher…

This paper reviews the literature on inclusion of children with emotional and behavioral disorders in regular education classrooms and proposes implementation of an inclusion program at one elementary school in Texas. The literature review covers the following aspects of inclusion: teacher selection and their expectations, professional…