BEHAVIOR
MANAGEMENT AT
THE SECONDARY
LEVEL
Courtney Stockton
Developed in Conjunction With the Ventura County Special Education Local
Plan Area (SELPA)
A FEW THOUGHTS ON BEHAVIOR
1) Acting out may be a student’s way of expressing a
lack of healthy coping mechanisms in relation to
his or her environment1
2) Three main functions for behavior; want
something, want to get out of something, or are
looking for sensory input2
3) Behavior has two main characteristics: it is
observable and it is measurable3.
Mea, M. L. (2013)
McKenney , E. L. W., Waldron, N., Conroy, M. (2013)
3 Taylor, S. S. (2011)
1
2
IN GENERAL…
1) Students with disabilities are trying their best
2) They may not be able to control behaviors
3) Be specific in the behavior being addressed
A) What does ‘off task’ mean?
i) Does not start when told to?
ii) Stop often to engage in other
behaviors?
B) Make it measurable and
observable
4) Work closely with Sped case manager
SOME SUGGESTIONS
1) Always give choices
A) Should still be
targeted towards
desired behavior
2) Assign consequences
3) Decide what behaviors
are important
A) Teach them
B) Be consistent
C) Reward attempts
towards these
4) Evaluate the ABC’s
Antecedent-What was
happening just prior
to the behavior?
Behavior-What is the
measureable and
observable behavior?
Consequence-What
does the student get
from the behavior?
*May not have anything to do
with the teacher
MORE SUGGESTIONS
5) Teach replacement strategies for unwanted
behaviors
A) Students are “getting” something from
the
behavior
B) Figure out what “it” is
C) Teach appropriate ways to still get “it”
D) Use scheduled reinforcement to give “it”
regularly
6) Use data
7) Be aware of cultural
differences
10) Always start with a positive
interaction
8) Develop and promote:
A) Responsibility
B) Citizenship
C) Strong character
D) Healthful living
11) Use a daily progress form
9) Use technology whenever
possible
-See Slide 8 for an example
12) Self-monitoring strategies
13) Acknowledgements for
appropriate behavior
14) Regular feedback
concerning target behaviors
EVEN MORE SUGGESTIONS
AND FINALLY…
15) Peer tutoring
A) In each class
B) School-wide
-OASIS
16) Involve parents
17) Data tracking
A) Can never have too much data (evidence)
18)Get the student involved
DAILY PROGRESS CHECK FORM1
1Lane,
K., Capizzi, A. M., Fisher, M. H., & Ennis, R. (2012).
REFERENCES

Bing Images. “Data” (Picture Slide 5). Retrieved from
http://www.resourcesgraphics.com/images/Data-analysis-one-vector-material2.jpg
6/20/13

Bing Images. “Good Behavior ” (Picture Slide 2). Retrieved from
http://www.pazzles.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Good_Behavior.jpg 6/20/13

Bing Images. “Happy Face ” (Picture Slide 4). Retrieved from
http://img.wikinut.com/img/2xwlya3foriicgza/jpeg/0/Suggestions-with-Smile%21.jpeg
6/20/13

Bing Images. “Off Task ” (Picture Slide 3). Retrieved from
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4603265407191327&pid=1.9&w=300&h=300&p=0
6/20/13

Bing Images. “Tutoring” (Picture Slide 7). Retrieved from Bing Images. “Off Task ” (Picture
Slide 3). Retrieved from
http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4603265407191327&pid=1.9&w=300&h=300&p=0
6/20/13
REFERENCES

Doolittle, J. H., Horner, R. H., Bradley, R., Sugai, G., & Vincent, C. G. (2007). Importance of
Student Social Behavior in the Mission Statements, Personnel Preparation Standards, and
Innovation Efforts of State Departments of Education. Journal Of Special Education, 40(4),
239-245.

Fairbanks, S., Simonsen, B., & Sugai, G. (2008). Classwide Secondary and Tertiary Tier
Practices and Systems. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 40(6), 44-52.

Lane, K., Capizzi, A. M., Fisher, M. H., & Ennis, R. (2012). Secondary Prevention Efforts at the
Middle School Level: An Application of the Behavior Education Program. Education & Treatment
Of Children (West Virginia University Press), 35(1), 51-90.

Mea, M. L. (2013). Implementing Applied Behavior Analysis for Effective Orientation and
Mobility Instruction of Students with Multiple Disabilities. Journal Of Visual Impairment &
Blindness, 107(1), 65-70.

McKenney , E. L. W., Waldron, N., Conroy, M. (2013): The Effects of Training and Performance
Feedback During Behavioral Consultation on General Education Middle School Teachers'
Integrity to Functional Analysis Procedures, Journal of Educational and Psychological
Consultation. 23(1), 63-85.
REFERENCES

Taylor, S. S. (2011). Behavior Basics: Quick Behavior Analysis and Implementation of
Interventions for Classroom Teachers. Clearing House: A Journal Of Educational Strategies,
Issues And Ideas, 84(5), 197-203.

Tomlin, M., & Reed, P. (2012). Effects of Fixed-Time Reinforcement Delivered by Teachers for
Reducing Problem Behavior in Special Education Classrooms. Journal Of Behavioral Education,
21(2), 150-162.