Using Positive Behavior Supports and Instruction

¶ … Positive in Student Behavior Change The purpose of this research is to investigate ways to increase positive behavior of students in special education programs who spend time in inclusive general education settings. The research design is action research, which generally means that quantitative data collection will be conducted, although the stakeholders in the action research project may chose to also collect qualitative data. Since the unit of analysis will be individual students in classroom settings, a case study framework for the action research is both logical and practical.

What methods are effective for increasing positive behavior during instructional time? What methods are effective for increasing positive behavior throughout the school building. What data collection approach will inform all phases of the positive behavior intervention. What supports are needed by school administrators to increase the positive behavior of students with learning difficulties? Target Behaviors The goal of the action research is to increase the time when students in special education and inclusion settings attend to and cooperatively engage in classroom instruction.

Assessing student needs will lead to the identification of behavior supports that will increase time spent sitting and attending to task. Literature Review A deep and extensive body of literature on positive behavior support in classrooms and in school-wide systems has been developed by a six-university consortium on positive behavioral support. Horner (2013) and colleagues from other universities and state-level behavior support teams introduce and oversee implementation of school-wide positive behavior supports and instruction (PBSI) and also provide technical assistance for individual classroom teachers and teams.

Lyons (2012) reported that, "Current literature on Inclusive education suggest that there are two cornerstones for effective practice may be identified (a) curricula and instruction that are accessible and beneficial to all students and (b) a continuum of supports and services for students and teachers.

Studies report that when a foundation of appropriate instruction and support are in place, inclusive education can benefit all students." Rationale for the Research Design There are strong precedents for research designs in the area of behavior change in school settings; a number of models are available through the PBSI literature. Action research is based on the notion that a change of practice will occur as a result of having conducted an investigation.

As practitioners modify their behavior in an ongoing fashion in response to research findings, social change is generally a by-product or is, in fact, a primary objective of the action research project. Data Collection Data can be qualitative (surveying stakeholders for their perceptions about changes in school climate, the impact of the positive behavior supports and instruction on the classroom climate and productivity, etc.). Or data can be quantitative (frequency counts of positive behavior and negative behavior will provide data for analysis.

The approach to positive behavioral support and instruction utilizes the following breakdown for data collection: Student is the unit of analysis School (or classroom) is the unit of intervention District is the unit of implementation State is the unit of coordination Setting and Participants The action research project can utilize a school-wide setting or a classroom setting, depending upon the level of support and interest that can be achieved and that is evidenced by building administration.

The participants in the action research project will include stakeholders who provide instruction and/or supervision of students. Sampling A non-probability convenience sample will be used since the students with challenging behaviors have already been identified and since randomization would not be practical within classroom settings. Moreover, case study research does not require randomization since an entire "unit" of study participants is the norm for this type of research. Data Analysis Since repeated measures are used to collect the quantitative data, appropriate statistics may be.