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A Computerized Functional Skills Assessment and Training Program Targeting Technology Based Everyday Functional Skills
Published on: February 13, 2020
Are We on Course Yet? Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plan Technical Adequacy in Schools.
Rose Iovannone1, Tobey Duble Moore2, Jeffrey M Williams1
1Department of Child and Family Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) remain technically inadequate in schools, despite decades of policy. While FBAs show some improvement, BIPs still exhibit significant flaws, impacting students with disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Special Education
- Behavior Analysis
Background:
- The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandated functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs) over two decades ago.
- Previous studies over ten years ago found significant deficiencies in the technical adequacy of school-based FBAs and BIPs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the psychometric properties of the FBA/BIP Technical Adequacy Evaluation Tool (TATE).
- To evaluate the technical adequacy of 135 FBAs and 129 BIPs from 13 school districts.
- To compare current findings with previous research on FBA and BIP quality.
Main Methods:
- Validated the FBA/BIP Technical Adequacy Evaluation Tool (TATE) for psychometric properties.
- Assessed the technical adequacy of 135 FBAs and 129 BIPs using the TATE.
- Analyzed and compared results with historical data on school-based behavior plans.
Main Results:
- The TATE demonstrated moderate internal consistency, excellent inter-rater reliability, and good content validity.
- Evaluated FBAs and BIPs achieved only 40%-50% of the total technical adequacy components.
- While FBAs showed some improvement, BIPs retained similar flaws identified in prior research.
Conclusions:
- The TATE is a psychometrically sound tool for evaluating FBA and BIP technical adequacy.
- School-based FBAs and BIPs continue to fall short of essential components, particularly BIPs.
- Further research and targeted professional development are needed to improve the quality of behavior intervention plans in schools.
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