ERIC Number: EJ1275568
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Nov
Pages: 2
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0164-775X
EISSN: N/A
FBAs and BIPs: An Updated Case Law Analysis
Zirkel, Perry A.
Communique, v49 n3 p20-21 Nov 2020
In contrast with professional norms and best practices, the legal requirements for functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) and behavior intervention plans (BIP) are meager in scope and specificity (Collins & Zirkel, 2017). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (2017) makes no mention of FBAs or BIPs, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) only requires them, in tandem with manifestation determinations, for disciplinary changes in placement. The line of court decisions that interpret and apply the IDEA, including its corollary state laws, to FBAs and BIPs has continued unabated. Two successive empirical analyses have traced the frequency and outcomes of the court decisions with rulings specific to FBAs or BIPs under the IDEA. The first of these two analyses covered the period from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2010 (Zirkel, 2011). This analysis revealed that both the number of court decisions and the proportion in favor of the defendant districts steadily increased during this 13-year period. For the entire period, the outcomes distribution of the 56 rulings were 75% for districts and 25% for parents. The second analysis covered the period from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2016 (Zirkel, 2017). Using the same selection, this analysis found 91 court decisions, which averaged 15.2 per year as compared with 4.3 per year for the previous period. The purpose of this article is to provide a follow-up analysis of the relevant court rulings from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020. [For the second analysis, see EJ1139783.]
Descriptors: Functional Behavioral Assessment, Positive Behavior Supports, Individualized Education Programs, Legal Responsibility, Decision Making, Discipline, Federal Legislation, Educational Legislation, Equal Education, Students with Disabilities, Court Litigation
National Association of School Psychologists. 4340 East West Highway Suite 402, Bethesda, MD 20814. Tel: 301-657-0270; Fax: 301-657-0275; e-mail: publications@naspweb.org; Web site: http://www.nasponline.org/publications/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Rehabilitation Act 1973 (Section 504); Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; Endrew F v Douglas County School District
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A