A behavior plan is not something that is rewarding and convenient for the district, (i.e. throw him in an empty room and call it time out). If punitive measures have been used before, you can point out that obviously that method didn't work, now let's use something that will actually teach to new behaviors.

A good behavior plan always addresses 3 things, called the ABC's of behavior.

1. The antecedent (what was going on just before the behavior)

2. The behavior itself

3. The consequence (what happens as a result of the behavior)

What schools usually skip is identifying the antecedent, or what triggered the behavior. No one looked at what was going on that lead to the behavior. Invariably something happened during a time of transition (change). For instance, maybe the teacher was attending to something other than the class, or the child has become the class scapegoat and the teacher enables the class to continue this behavior. Perhaps the child is tactily sensitive, and becomes overheated in physical education class, or overwhelmed and over-stimulated by large crowds.

I.D.E.A. makes it clear, if there are behavior issues in school, there needs to be a professional behavior assessment. ALL interventions must be documented on paper, which ones worked and which ones were not successful. This is the approach that will pinpoint a lot of problems and can start a child on the road to competency in the area of behaviors.

While on that subject, here's a favorite area for throwing around the word "responsibility". A child who lacks competency in the area of social behavior is told to "act responsibly." Remember, the district must also shoulder "responsibility" to properly identify the child's needs and draw up a logical, well thought-out, positive approach to changing the behavior. The team must act responsibly by staying in close communication and problem solving before there are any serious problems.

The law also stresses the use of positive interventions, not punitive interventions or punishment. Punishment does not teach a child new behaviors. It manages to stop the behavior, but only temporarily. The key is to replace the unacceptable behavior with positive behavior.

next: When the Partnership Breaks Down