Contextual, Conceptual, and Empirical Foundations of Functional Behavioral Assessment in Schools

Abstract

This article examines the contextual, conceptual, and empirical foundations of functional behavioral assessment (FBA) in general educational settings. Schools today face 2 important, contextual challenges: the need to design effective responses to increases in individual problem behavior and the need to be compliant with the 1997 amendments to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act. FBA as a solution to these challenges is explored from a conceptual framework. Finally, the empirical literature supporting the use of FBA in typical school settings is reviewed briefly.