A functional behavioral assessment (or FBA ) is a process that identifies a specific or target behavior that interferes with a student's education. The assessment attempts to designate the particular behavior, identify the factors that support the behavior, and determine the purpose of the behavior. The basic idea is that a student’s behavior serves a purpose. Whether they know it or not, kids act in certain ways for a reason. If schools and families can understand what is causing a behavior, they can find ways to change it. Once an FBA is completed, it is often followed up by the development of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP). The intention of the BIP is to incorporate what was found in the FBA and craft a plan to re-teach desirable behaviors and help the child be more successful in school. The six steps to an FBA are as follows: Choose a problem behavior to change. Measure the problem behavior by collecting data. Determine the function (purpose) of the problem behavior. Conduct a functional behavior assessment. Create a behavior intervention plan. Teach a new alternative behavior. To learn more about Let’s Go Learn’s powerful, online assessment and curriculum platform, click here .

A Behavior Intervention Plan (or BIP ) is a written plan that teaches and rewards good behavior. It can be a single page or many pages. The purpose is to prevent or stop misbehavior, not simply punish the child. A Behavior Intervention Plan can also be used as a “proactive action plan to address behavior(s) that are impeding the learning of the student or others.” It is assumed that lesser interventions at Tier I and Tier II have not been successful. If developed for a student with an IEP or 504 plan, the BIP becomes a part of those documents. A BIP includes “positive behavioral interventions, strategies and supports." Behavior Intervention Plans should focus on understanding why the behavior occurred (i.e., ‘the "function’"or "communicative intent" of the behavior) and then focus on teaching an alternative behavior that meets the student’s needs in a more acceptable way. This step includes making instructional and environmental changes and providing reinforcement, reactive strategies, and effective communication. To learn more about Let’s Go Learn’s powerful, online assessment and curriculum platform, click here .

A cornerstone of IDEA, our nation’s special education law, is that each eligible child with a disability is entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet the child’s unique needs and that prepares the child for further education, employment, and independent living. Defined in IDEA at | 34 CFR §300.17, as follows: §300.17 Free appropriate public education Free appropriate public education or FAPE means special education and related services that— (a) Are provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, and without charge; (b) Meet the standards of the SEA, including the requirements of this part; (c) Include an appropriate preschool, elementary school, or secondary school education in the State involved; and (d) Are provided in conformity with an individualized education program (IEP) that meets the requirements of §§300.320 through 300.324. To learn more about Let’s Go Learn’s special education software tools, click here .

FAQs Archive - Let's Go Learn

Does Let’s Go Learn’s supplemental reading curriculum use tenets of the Science of Reading?

LGL’s Science of Reading supplemental K-12 curriculum integrates its key components: phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and reading comprehension strategies. Our LGL Edge Reading Series 3.0 meets key Science of Reading requirements, driven by our AI-driven system that creates unique instructional paths for each student using their performance on our granular reading diagnostic assessment. The

By Margy Hillman|2023-05-11T10:34:15+00:00May 11th, 2023|0 Comments

What is Universal Design for Learning?

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a process and outcome that focuses on good design that serves the needs and abilities of all people.

By Margy Hillman|2022-09-13T20:31:57+00:00January 13th, 2022|0 Comments

What is Data-Based Individualization (DBI)?

A powerful process for reaching students who need intensive intervention (Tier 3 in RTI and MTSS) is data-based individualization (DBI). The process begins with diagnostic assessment data from a research-based assessment such as Let's Go Learn's DORA and DOMA, which evaluate a content-specific area of concern. The diagnostic data drives the implementation of a validated

By Margy Hillman|2022-09-13T20:34:28+00:00December 30th, 2021|0 Comments

What is standards-based assessment?

Standards-Based Education Requires Standards-Based Assessments In the United States, a standards-based assessment is a test that evaluates a student's mastery of standards for specific knowledge or skills. Standards-based assessments are the natural result of standards-based education, or outcome-based education, used in most state education departments. The components of standards-based education are standards-based assessment, standards-based instruction,

By Richard Capone|2022-09-13T20:39:23+00:00January 28th, 2021|Assessments, General|1 Comment

Why Use a Universal Diagnostic instead of a Universal Screener

K-12 schools use universal screeners in RTI programs. As part of the RTI process, all students take a universal screening assessment to determine who is struggling and what type of support they need to progress toward grade-level goals. Universal screeners are typically short, easy to administer and test only high-level critical skills and concepts. Once

By Richard Capone|2022-09-13T20:41:14+00:00December 22nd, 2020|Educational Reform, Assessments|0 Comments

What is a universal screener as opposed to a universal diagnostic?

In education, a universal screener is an assessment that is short, easy to administer, and only tests high-level critical skills and concepts. Typically, K-12 schools use universal screeners in Response to Instruction (RTI ) programs. As part of an RTI process, all students take a universal screening assessment to determine who is struggling and what

By Richard Capone|2022-09-13T20:45:18+00:00December 22nd, 2020|Assessments, Educational Reform|0 Comments

What is a Professional Learning Community?

In education, a professional learning community (or PLC) is a community wherein teachers collaborate regularly to share questions, issues, and solutions within a particular work environment or school department. The term was first used in the 1960s to answer teachers' complaints that they were working in isolation, which stymied their growth and their effectiveness. PLC's

By Richard Capone|2022-09-13T20:52:41+00:00December 16th, 2020|General, Educational Reform|0 Comments

What is an FBA?

A functional behavioral assessment (or FBA) is a process that identifies a specific or target behavior that interferes with a student's education. The assessment attempts to designate the particular behavior, identify the factors that support the behavior, and determine the purpose of the behavior. The basic idea is that a student’s behavior serves a purpose. Whether they

By Let's Go Learn Staff|2022-09-13T20:54:23+00:00February 28th, 2016|Special Education, Assessments|0 Comments

What is a BIP?

A Behavior Intervention Plan (or BIP) is a written plan that teaches and rewards good behavior. It can be a single page or many pages. The purpose is to prevent or stop misbehavior, not simply punish the child. A Behavior Intervention Plan can also be used as a “proactive action plan to address behavior(s) that

By Let's Go Learn Staff|2022-09-13T20:57:45+00:00February 28th, 2016|Special Education, Assessments|0 Comments

What is FAPE?

A cornerstone of IDEA, our nation’s special education law, is that each eligible child with a disability is entitled to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet the child’s unique needs and that prepares the child for further education, employment, and independent living. Defined in IDEA

By Let's Go Learn Staff|2022-09-13T20:59:20+00:00February 28th, 2016|Special Education, Educational Reform|0 Comments