Homework

Data Collection

Behavior – The actions/reactions of a person in response to external or internal stimuli.

Disruptive Behavior – A group of behaviors that disturbs the classroom culture and interferes with instruction. Examples of disruptive behaviors include being out of a seat without permission, not complying with teacher instruction (off task behavior), hitting, biting, making audible noises/vocalizations, yelling, use of profanity, grabbing, elopement, failure to complete assignments, etc.

Direct Observation of Behavior:

1. Must be observable (sight or hearing) occurrence or non-occurrence

2. Definable – Two or more people can agree

3. Countable and measurable – Communicate using a number

Baseline measurement allows the assessing of behavior to see if instruction/intervention is needed or if an instructional program is effective.

Techniques for Measuring Behavior

Frequency/Event Recording

1. Behaviors have a discrete beginning and end

2. Easily converted into a graph

3. Requires behavior that occurs at a relatively stable level and is easy to count

4. Not useful when behavior occurs at high rates or for an extended period of time.

Name: Jane Doe

Behavior to be counted: Number of times Jane requests to go to the bathroom during the morning session (8:30a.m. -11:30 a.m.)

Number of Times

Date Behavior Occurred Recorder

September 5 // Jones

September 6 // Jones

September 7 ///// Carr

September 8 /// Carr

September 9 /// Jones

The operant level (frequency of behavior before instruction/intervention) ranged from

2 to 5. The average (15 –5) was 3.

During baseline collection enough data must be collected to ensure there is a range of variability. The last two days of data collection must be scrutinized, the last day of data collection must be less than or equal to the previous day’s before the baseline is halted.

Complete the following:

Susan Brown- Behavior to be counted: Number of times Susan makes irrelevant and inappropriate comments (talking out loud, heavy signing, moans) during class discussion

Date Number of Times

Behavior Occurred Recorder

July 16 //// Harris

July 17 /// Harris

July 18 ///// Harris

July 19 /// Harris

July 20 //// Harris

The baseline record reveals that Susan’s operant level making inappropriate comments ranged from ____ to ____ times per day and averaged ______.

Was the baseline conducted long enough to ensure that no drastic changes in the operant level occurred? ___________

Was the final baseline data point as low or lower than the previous day?

Are more baseline recordings required? Why or why not.

Time Sampling/Interval Recording

1. Applies to virtually any target behavior

2. Can be converted to a percent

3. Yields data of relative frequency and duration

4. Requires accurate measure of behavior in relation to a small amount of time

5. Requires undivided attention

Number of Instances x 100 = Percentage of time behavior occurs

Number of Possible Instances

Bob Doe

Behavior: On task behavior – appropriately writing, reading, talking about assignments, or waiting to ask the teacher a question regarding the assignment. Bob will be observed ten seconds every five minutes during an hour period. Observer: Howard

Time On Task Behavior Observed Off Task

9:00 /

9:05 /

9:10 0

9:15 /

9:20 /

9:25 /

9:30 /

9:35 0

9:40 /

9:45 /

9:50 0

9:55 /

10:00 /

Total 10 3

Percentage of time on task = 76.9 (10 – 13) X 100

Complete the following:

Behavior to be measured: Eric sitting in his chair. Eric will be observed for 5 seconds every 5 minutes during a one hour period.

Time In seat Out of seat

1:00 /

1:05 0

1:10 /

1:15 /

1:20 /

1:25 0

1:30 0

1:35 0

1:40 0

1:45 0

1:50 /

1:55 0

Total

What percentage of time was Eric in his seat? _________________

Charles

Charles is an attractive and manipulative 7-8 year-old boy who has been identified as having physically aggressive behavioral problems (e.g., hitting, kicking peers/adults, throwing books at staff and tripping adults/students who walk in front of him) he was diagnosed as ED and assigned to a self contained program within the school in his neighborhood. Charles began receiving services for EBD approximately three months ago.

Behavioral episodes have been described as so numerous at school (since placement within the ED classroom) that a paraeducator is being requested as a one on one assistant. It is important to note that these behavioral episodes seem to occur when Charles is out of his self contained classroom. Charles is bright and demonstrates only sight academic delays.

Note: Charles domiciles with his mother and grandmother. There are only minor behavioral infractions at home because Charles is not held to any schedules or demands. However, he is proving difficult for the grandmother to control and the mother is facing incarceration (drug involvement). Charles tried to bully neighborhood students; however, after several peers beat him up, he gets along well with the peers in his neighborhood. Altercations with individual students at his school of attendance have continued.

DFS has intervened, at the grandmother’s request, and Charles has been placed in a temporary foster placement. The second home has no children. Due to physical violence against peers/teachers at school (e.g., lunchroom playground, art class); Charles has been assigned to a special separate day facility for students with E/BD and academic concerns. There is a 6:2 pupil/teachers ratio. All students are labeled ED.

Although cognitive ability and linguistic skills are within normal limits, Charles exhibits academic failure to thrive. He is described as a student who frequently threatens, teases, bosses, and manipulates others. When angry he uses inappropriate language, damages property, and engages in physical aggression toward peers/adults. He is on no medications, and according to staff; Charles is in need of constant teacher attention.

Baseline:

Behavior to be counted: The number of times Charles exhibits physical aggression toward peers (e.g., punching, kicking or pushing peers/adults).

Date Behavior Observed Recorder

May 1 ///// Jones

May 2 /////// Jones

May 3 //// Jones

May 4 ///// Jones

May 5 /////// Jones

May 6 ////// Jones

May 7 ///// Jones

Behaviors ranged from_____ to ______ and averaged __________.

Was the baseline timeframe conducted appropriately? Explain why or why not.