Managing Challenging Behavior Course Information
SPEB 659 Managing Challenging Behavior
Course Description
In this course, candidates study the use of appropriate non-aversive, least-intrusive management procedures when presented with a variety of behavioral problems including challenging behaviors. Candidates learn strategies for individual behavior management, crisis prevention, conflict resolution, and the effective use of reinforcement. Additionally, strategies and techniques to arrange and modify the learning environment to facilitate learning according to students’ emotional, social, and behavioral needs are also considered. As part of this course, candidates study and complete functional assessments of behavior and develop behavior intervention plans based on student case studies.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
- Analyze the relationships among theory, values, beliefs, assumptions, and responses to students with challenging behaviors
- Identify strategies from various theoretical models that support positive interventions leading to maintenance and generalization of skills across learning environments
- Identify the components of successful school-wide positive behavior support interventions
- Identify and use methods for collecting data and graphing progress on student behavior both pre- and post-intervention
- Apply principles of applied behavior analysis including use of reinforcement to situations in which students demonstrate challenging behavior
- Describe the legal requirements and procedural safeguards mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act as they relate to the education of students with disabilities who exhibit challenging behaviors
- Examine ethical considerations regarding management of behaviors of individuals with disabilities
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of proactive strategies in supporting a healthy classroom climate and preventing escalations of disruptive behavior
- Analyze factors contributing to the development of conflict or crisis situations and demonstrate a framework for safely and effectively dealing with these situations
- Demonstrate knowledge of diversity factors relevant to practices in managing challenging behavior of students with disabilities
- Read, interpret, and apply current research findings regarding teaching students who exhibit challenging behaviors
- Analyze approaches to collaborating with parents and other educators in the development of plans for dealing with specific behavioral issue
Week 1
Lecture: Foundations of Discipline
Outcomes
- Analyze the relationships among theory, values, beliefs, assumptions, and responses to students with challenging behaviors
- Identify strategies from various theoretical models that support positive interventions leading to maintenance and generalization of skills across learning environments
- Apply principles of applied behavior analysis, including use of reinforcement, to situations in which students demonstrate challenging behavior
- Examine ethical considerations regarding management of behaviors of individuals with disabilities
Week 2
Lecture: School-wide Positive Behavior
Outcomes
- Identify the components of successful school-wide positive behavior support interventions
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of proactive strategies in supporting a healthy classroom climate and preventing escalations of disruptive behavior
- Analyze factors contributing to the development of conflict or crisis situations and demonstrate a framework for safely and effectively dealing with these situations
Week 3
Lecture: Understanding Your Students
Outcomes
- Analyze the relationships among theory, values, beliefs, assumptions, and responses to students with challenging behaviors
- Analyze factors contributing to the development of conflict or crisis situations and demonstrate a framework for safely and effectively dealing with these situations
- Demonstrate knowledge of diversity factors relevant to practices in managing challenging behavior of students with disabilities
Week 4
Lecture: Data Collection
Outcomes
- Identify and use methods for collecting data and graphing progress on student behavior both pre- and post-intervention
- Complete a functional analysis of behavior and develop a behavior intervention plan consistent with legal requirements and current best practices
Week 5
Lecture: Functional Behavior Assessments
Outcomes
- Analyze the relationships among theory, values, beliefs, assumptions, and responses to students with challenging behaviors
- Analyze factors contributing to the development of conflict or crisis situations and demonstrate a framework for safely and effectively dealing with these situations
- Demonstrate knowledge of diversity factors relevant to practices in managing challenging behavior of students with disabilities
- Complete a functional analysis of behavior and develop a behavior intervention plan consistent with legal requirements and current best practices
Week 6
Lecture: Increasing Positive Behaviors and Developing Behavior Plans
Outcomes
- Analyze the relationships among theory, values, beliefs, assumptions, and responses to students with challenging behaviors
- Identify strategies from various theoretical models that support positive interventions leading to maintenance and generalization of skills across learning environments
- Identify and use methods for collecting data and graphing progress on student behavior both pre- and post-intervention
- Apply principles of applied behavior analysis including use of reinforcement to situations in which students demonstrate challenging behavior
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of proactive strategies in supporting a healthy classroom climate and preventing escalations of disruptive behavior
- Analyze factors contributing to the development of conflict or crisis situations and demonstrate a framework for safely and effectively dealing with these situations
- Read, interpret, and apply current research findings regarding teaching students who exhibit challenging behaviors
- Analyze personal and professional challenges associated with educating students who exhibit challenging behaviors
- Complete a functional analysis of behavior and develop a behavior intervention plan consistent with legal requirements and current best practices
Week 7
Lecture: Teaching Skills
Outcomes
- Identify strategies from various theoretical models that support positive interventions leading to maintenance and generalization of skills across learning environments
- Apply principles of applied behavior analysis including use of reinforcement to situations in which students demonstrate challenging behavior
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of proactive strategies in supporting a healthy classroom climate and preventing escalations of disruptive behavior
- Analyze factors contributing to the development of conflict or crisis situations and demonstrate a framework for safely and effectively dealing with these situations
- Demonstrate knowledge of diversity factors relevant to practices in managing challenging behavior of students with disabilities
- Read, interpret, and apply current research findings regarding teaching students who exhibit challenging behaviors
- Analyze approaches to collaborating with parents and other educators in the development of plans for dealing with specific behavioral issues
- Complete a functional analysis of behavior and develop a behavior intervention plan consistent with legal requirements and current best practices
Week 8
Lecture: Summary
Outcomes
- Analyze the relationships among theory, values, beliefs, assumptions, and responses to students with challenging behaviors
- Identify strategies from various theoretical models that support positive interventions leading to maintenance and generalization of skills across learning environments
- Identify the components of successful school-wide positive behavior support interventions
- Identify and use methods for collecting data and graphing progress on student behavior both pre- and post-intervention
- Apply principles of applied behavior analysis including use of reinforcement to situations in which students demonstrate challenging behavior
- Examine ethical considerations regarding management of behaviors of individuals with disabilities
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of proactive strategies in supporting a healthy classroom climate and preventing escalations of disruptive behavior
- Analyze factors contributing to the development of conflict or crisis situations and demonstrate a framework for safely and effectively dealing with these situations
- Demonstrate knowledge of diversity factors relevant to practices in managing challenging behavior of students with disabilities
- Read, interpret, and apply current research findings regarding teaching students who exhibit challenging behaviors
- Analyze personal and professional challenges associated with educating students who exhibit challenging behaviors
- Analyze approaches to collaborating with parents and other educators in the development of plans for dealing with specific behavioral issues
- Complete a functional analysis of behavior and develop a behavior intervention plan consistent with legal requirements and current best practices
The course description, objectives and learning outcomes are subject to change without notice based on enhancements made to the course. October 2011
