Severe Behavior Disorders of Children and Youth: Editors' Introduction

Abstract

This special issue of Education and Treatment of Children represents a peer-reviewed sample of the best research presented at the 31st Annual Teacher Educators for Children with Behavioral Disorders. The seven articles presented in this special issue were reviewed and selected for publication by consulting editors from Education and Treatment of Children and other researchers from the field with specific expertise in the topic of the article. The articles address a broad range of topics in the field of emotional and behavioral disorders. This issue is also notable in that it is dedicated to the memory of Robert B. Rutherford. Dr. Rutherford established the TECBD Conference in 1976 with the mission of disseminating quality research in the field of emotional and behavioral disorders. For 30 years, Dr. Rutherford furthered this work by annually editing a compilation of the original research presented at the TECBD conference. The yearly conference and subsequent publications have helped to increase our knowledge of children with emotional and behavioral disorders and improve the services and supports available to them. The co-editors of this special issue therefore dedicate this issue to the memory of Robert B. Rutherford. Researchers in fields of EBD and juvenile justice have long understood the importance of identifying the needs of detained and committed youth. In their study of 555 incarcerated boys, Krezmien, Mulcahy, and Leone provide updated data and new insight into the characteristics of these young people. Their review of academic and mental health data finds high rates of youth with disabilities and high rates of prior therapy. The authors also perform further analyses of the data to determine whether intake data are predictive of special education status or placement in detention. The current focus on prevention of problem behavior through positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) provides the backdrop for two articles in this issue of Education and Treatment of Children. The effective implementation of school-wide PBIS requires the use of research practices that have not been broadly implemented or measured in general education settings. Lane, Kalberg, Bruhn, Mahoney, and Driscoll explore several of these practices in their review data gathered during first-year implementation of a PBIS project in two rural schools. Specifically, the authors examine variables associated with (1) variations in the treatment fidelity, (2) systematic screenings to identify at-risk students for targeted interventions, and (3) student access to reinforcement. The goal of implementing individualized PBIS interventions in schools is also leading researchers to explore whether services previously reserved for special education can be effectively applied in general education settings. Renshaw, Christensen, Marchant, and Anderson add to this literature base through an investigation of the effectiveness of training general education teachers in the use of function-based intervention planning. In the four cases describing the practice of individualized function-based planning, the authors found that general education teachers were able to develop and implement moderately effective intervention plans. The next article in this issue of ETC reminds us of the wide ranging effect that federal policy can have on research and practice. The Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 established the Institute for Education Sciences (IES) and brought significant changes to the conduct of research in the field of emotional and behavioral disorders. …