The article suggests and describes several ways in which social validation procedures can be employed by researchers and educators to help them select when and how much to modify target behaviors of students. (DLS)

The personalized system of instruction (PSI) is characterized by mastery, specified objectives, self-pacing, small-step sequenced materials, repeated testing, immediate feedback, credit for success rather than penalty for errors, proctors, and lectures for motivation. Research indicating the effectiveness of PSI is cited, and problems with…

Findings of the three experiments indicated that normal children can successfully teach social responses (i.e., delayed imitation, cooperative play, and verbalization of positive comments) to withdrawn mentally retarded peers (8 to 13 years old). Effects generalized across stimulus and response conditions, while the levels of responding were…

This article reviews the development of functional analysis in understanding behavior problems like self-injury and aggression and, more recently, school-based problems. Seen as particularly promising is current work on the analysis of setting events and analysis of dependent variables by considering the effects of intervention on response…

This paper argues that there is a science of pedagogy based on a science of behavior and that educational researchers have been remiss in ignoring the findings of behavior analysis. Implementation of the comprehensive application of behavior analysis to schooling (CABAS) is described as an effective approach for increasing student learning. (JDD)

Highly productive educational methods have been identified through publicly funded research, but these methods or programs have not been widely disseminated or adopted. Problems with the work ethic, discipline, and competition are described, along with the public's need for learning but its desire for entertainment. (JDD)

This paper examines aspects of the traditional implementation of behavior analysis that are counterproductive to teacher use and identifies practices that promote greater teacher use, including entering the system and working with school personnel, developing classroomwide applications rather than single-student interventions, and sustaining…

This paper defines precision teaching; describes its monitoring methods by displaying a standard celeration chart and explaining charting conventions; points out precision teaching's roots in laboratory free-operant conditioning; discusses its learning tactics and performance principles; and describes its effectiveness in producing learning gains.…

Behavior analysis was implemented in a school for 38 children with multiple disabilities, following staff training. Results over two years showed educationally significant increases in trials taught, correct student trials, and objectives achieved. During followup, results indicated maintenance and social validity of the behavior analysis package.…

The Personal Appearance Index, an assessment of physical appearance and personal care, was used to assess 12 youngsters with autism who lived at home, in group homes, or in institutions. The index showed differences in the appearance scores of institutionalized children compared to others and was used to provide feedback to the children's…