The paper examines legal issues involved in the assaultive behavior of emotionally disturbed students. A special education due process decision is cited to illustrate the definition of assault and the need for seeking alternatives to expulsion. Related legal issues (discipline and punishment, liability for injuries resulting from assaultive…

This article examines the body of case law which has developed over the appropriate use of various timeout procedures (e.g., exclusion, seclusion/isolation) of students with behavior disorders. Seven guidelines for the legally correct application of timeout procedures are offered. (DB)

Aggressive and violent behaviors are increasing among today's students. Some children maintain consistently high levels of aggressiveness that affect them academically and socially. Abundant technology exists for assessment and intervention, and it should be used on a schoolwide basis as part of early intervention. The paper describes two types of…

This article offers suggestions for addressing behavioral infractions by students with disabilities in inclusive classroom settings. Ten questions are offered to help analyze situations that foster disruptive behavior and assist in the selection of appropriate behavior-reduction strategies. (DB)

Argues that using functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to identify individual factors that may be contributing to a student's behavior problem and building a positive behavioral-intervention plan will produce effective disciplinary practices. Components of successful implementation of FBA and overarching challenges to the use of FBA are…

This article explains how to implement "unified discipline" as a school-wide approach to managing problem behavior, an approach designed to support educators in meeting the needs of students with emotional and behavioral problems in general education classrooms by establishing unified attitudes, expectations, correction procedures, and team roles.…

Explains a conceptual model for a comprehensive, multilevel, school-wide discipline program and describes its implementation in one elementary school. Key elements of the program include teaching social norms, a seven-step school-wide classroom management strategy, and targeted, intensive, and comprehensive interventions. (DB)

This article reviews what teachers can do to prevent aggressive behavior in students with emotional and behavioral disorders. It considers the dynamics of aggression, the role of the therapeutic teacher, creation of the positive classroom climate, functional assessment, and teaching alternative behaviors. (DB)

Designed as a practical guide to help teachers acquire strategies for dealing successfully with students who have a wide range of behavioral disorders, this book is organized around classroom examples and individual case studies that describe specific problems and solutions. Each chapter deals with an individual type of behavioral disorder.…

Using excerpts from structured interviews conducted by teachers, this paper discusses three thought and behavior patterns commonly used by students with behavior disorders to justify behavior teachers consider inappropriate: (1) denial, (2) projection, and (3) rationalization. Suggestions are made about how to respond to these defensive behavior…

This monograph examines educational alternatives for children and youth with emotional, behavioral, or social problems. It focuses on alternatives to traditional education systems, concentrating on those which have an administrative structure separate from the regular education system. It begins with a brief description of the role alternative…

Describes the use of functional assessment for behavior-support planning with students having chronic behavior problems. Focus is on a functional assessment method that includes the student as an important information source. Following a definition of functional assessment, six steps for developing a comprehensive behavior support plan are…

This article profiles Unified Discipline, a schoolwide systemic model of discipline that incorporates factors associated with best practices in teaching behavior and improving discipline. The four components of the program are described and include unified attitudes, expectations, correction, and team roles. Implications for practice are…

This paper presents a synthesis of the research on positive behavioral support (PBS) for students with challenging behaviors. PBS is a long-term approach to reducing the inappropriate behavior, teaching a more appropriate behavior, and providing the contextual supports necessary for successful outcomes. It notes that the 1997 amendments to the…

This book is intended to assist in the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of more effective, legally sound disciplinary policies and procedures for all students in school. Case histories, court decisions, literature reviews, and positive education practices regarding the use of properly created intervention plans are available in many…