F-BIT Interview for Students
Function-Based Information Tool – Student Interview Guide
Student:
Interviewer:
_____________________________
_____________________________
Date: __________________
1. How would you describe yourself?
Allow for the student to generate his/her own ideas. If he/she is having a hard time, offer
some examples of positive qualities. Write down all the student’s statements
2. What are some of you interests or favorite things?
Give examples of hobbies, interests, activities to help the student think of things they like
and like to do.
3. What do you like about school? What are your favorite activities or classes? Here
are some examples of things other students say:
Give some examples of typical academic and social school activities.
4. Now we are going to talk about times when you have a hard time at school. What are
some things you do that typically gets you in trouble with school staff? If the student is
NJ PBSIS (2015). NJ PBSIS is sponsored by New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs in collaboration with
The Boggs Center, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Funded by I.D.E.A, Part B. www.njpbs.org
F-BIT Interview for Students
having difficulty coming up with examples, talk about a recent situation where he/she got into
trouble and have them talk about what happened.
5. I would like to talk about each of the behaviors you listed. For each one, I am going
to ask you some questions. There is no right or wrong answers. I want to know your
opinion about what is happening.
To complete this section, the interviewer will need to fill examples discussed by the student. If
more detailed information is needed, use follow up probes. In addition to the probe examples
provided, the interviewer will likely need to come up with “on the spot” probes to get at the
information.
5a. Antecedents and Setting Events:
NJ PBSIS (2015). NJ PBSIS is sponsored by New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs in collaboration with
The Boggs Center, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Funded by I.D.E.A, Part B. www.njpbs.org
F-BIT Interview for Students

Before you told me about (recall a situation where the student got in trouble). Right before
you (insert behavior) what was happening in the (setting)?
Examples of probes:




Sequence: Tell me in order what happened first, next, finally.
Class work: Tell me about the work? Was it easy/hard? Did you understand the
directions?
Other students: What was the other student doing? Did they say something to you? Did
someone upset you?
Teacher/staff: What was the adult doing? Where was the adult?
Examples of prompts to help the student think about antecedent triggers:










Hard class material
Easy class material
Have to work alone
Group work
Not being prepared for class
Multi-step work or projects
Taking notes
Teacher lecture - instruction
Have to read aloud or answer a question
Peers teasing










Beginning of class
Changing activities
Not knowing what to do
Teacher gives a direction to class
Teacher puts me on the spot
Being corrected in front of class
Not allowed to do something I want
My friends are around
Given an ultimatum
When work feels long
Student’s response:
5b. The Student’s Thoughts and Feelings about What is Happening

When you (insert behavior) what are you thinking about?
NJ PBSIS (2015). NJ PBSIS is sponsored by New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs in collaboration with
The Boggs Center, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Funded by I.D.E.A, Part B. www.njpbs.org
F-BIT Interview for Students

When you (insert behavior) how are you feeling?
Examples of probes:





What was going through your mind? What were you thinking about?
When you (insert behavior) how do you feel? Are you angry? Frustrated? Scared?
Do you feel comfortable in this situation? Why or why not?
Do you ever feel like you just need to get out of (insert situation)? Why do you think that is?
Do you ever feel wish adults/peers would notice you more?
Student’s Response:
5c. Perception of what others say and do in response to behavior


How do others (e.g., staff other students) react when you (insert behavior)?
When adults (insert the adults’ typical response), how do you feel about how they reacted?
NJ PBSIS (2015). NJ PBSIS is sponsored by New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs in collaboration with
The Boggs Center, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Funded by I.D.E.A, Part B. www.njpbs.org
F-BIT Interview for Students

When students’ (insert students’ typical response), how do you feel about how they
reacted?
Examples of probes:

Adults: When you (insert behavior) what do teachers/staff say to you? Describe how (tone
of voice, facial expression, hand gestures, etc.) the adult looks when you (insert behavior).
Do you think the teacher/staff/student was fair in how they responded?

Students: When you (insert behavior) what do other students say to you? Describe how
(tone of voice, facial expression, hand gestures, etc.) the students look when you (insert
behavior). How did it make you feel when the student/staff/teacher (insert typical
response)?
Prompts to help the student think about teacher/staff/other student responses:
Teacher gives me a look
Teacher talks to me privately
Teacher corrects me in front of others
Teacher helps me with work
Teacher speaks to me after class
Teacher calls my parents
Teacher takes away recess or other free time
Teacher takes a privilege away
Teacher deducts points from an
assignment
I get sent to an administrator
Other students laugh or “egg” me on
I go to guidance or CST
Teacher has me take a break (e.g., go
to the bathroom)
Teacher assigns me detention
Student’s Response:
NJ PBSIS (2015). NJ PBSIS is sponsored by New Jersey Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs in collaboration with
The Boggs Center, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Funded by I.D.E.A, Part B. www.njpbs.org