Feasibility and Contributions of Functional Behavioral Assessment in Schools

Abstract

Two types of analysis were used to examine the feasibility and utility of functional behavioral assessment (FBA) in a general education middle school. The authors used a descriptive analysis to assess whether a group-based behavior-support program was differentially effective based on the perceived consequences maintaining student problem behavior. Twenty-four middle school students were monitored over an academic year as they received a traditional check-in, check-out (progress report) intervention. At the end of the school year, an FBA interview was completed to assess the perceived function of each student's problem behavior. Although the absence of experimental controls precluded making any inferences, the results were consistent with the hypothesis that behavioral function was associated with student improvement under the program. These results led to a second analysis using a multiple-baseline-across-students design to determine if there was a functional relationship between function-based behavior support and (a) decreases in problem behavior and (b) increases in academic engagement. FBAs were used to develop and implement behavior support plans for three students who were not improving under the group-based intervention. The results supported the presence of functional relationships. Implications for the professional role of school psychologists and other behavior specialists, the value of FBA in schools, and the need for future research are discussed.