Applied Behavior Analysis and Your Classroom Brian Long, Sarah Dexter, and Claire Lonergan BCIU Behavior Analysts

Why Choose this Project? To improve the understanding of the Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) through a staff training. To ensure implementation of classroom strategies are predicated upon a solid scientific foundation.

How Does this Support Student Achievement? By training educators on the theories to develop evidence based practices, and adapt strategies and procedures to novel instances of behavior.

Competency Development Participants were provided a pre-test, PowerPoint training, and post-test. Competency was evaluated based on pre-test, baseline scores. Post-test scores indicated development and successful trainings. Staff feedback, and an analysis of pre- and post-test data would help further craft and improve trainings for future presentations.

Step-By-Step Plan Pre-test: provided short examples of teaching strategies and student behavior. Participants indicated whether or not each scenario was an example of ABA by marking a “yes” or “no”. PowerPoint training: described important elements of ABA applicable to instruction and behavior management. Pre-test examples were used within the PowerPoint to further increase understanding of concepts. Post-test: assessed effectiveness of training using additional examples of behavior and classroom instruction. Participants again marked “yes” or “no” to indicate whether each was an example of ABA.

Participants Training 1 included 3 BCIU middle school teachers: 1 MDS teacher, 1 AS2 teacher, and 1 Program Coordinator. Training 2 included 8 middle school staff members in the Neshaminy school district: 4 5th grade learning support teachers, 3 general education 5th grade teachers, and 1 instructional aide.

Outcomes Staff indicated it was helpful to use the pre-test examples directly in the PowerPoint presentation. Staff in the first training indicated some pre-test examples were confusing without the context of the training. In the following training, a basic definition of ABA was provided and some examples were reworded for clarification. Pre-test scores for participants in averaged 43% correct. After the training, scores increased to an average of 100% in the post-test. Further trainings could include a glossary of terms in both the pre- and post-test.

Professional Learning Community The training was presented to regular and special education teachers and instructional assistants. The PowerPoint will be on SharePoint for use by other behavior analysts. The training and results can be shared with behavior analysts during professional development meetings.