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Effective Treatment Interventions with Family
Student’s name
Institutional affiliation
Introduction
Family treatment interventions are vital as they have been designed to deal with specific problems affecting people’s functioning and health. It is common for families to go through rough times, significant transitions, behavioral and mental problems hence the need to employ effective treatment interventions. The type of therapy and technique used to treat families depends on the target population and the specific issue affecting the individuals. This literature review aims to analyze and interpret family-based interventions used on various individuals within the family set up when they are experiencing health difficulties. This research could not be timelier; it comes when little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of various interventions used to treat families. The following review confirms that practices including functional family therapy (FFT), goal-oriented parental interventions, family-focused alternatives ,community-based alternatives to incarceration, family interventions for schizophrenia, and the psychoses and family-based management interventions for children with obesity improve have proved effective in improving family well-being.
Community-based and family-focused alternatives to incarceration
Ryon, Early, and Kosloski evaluated community-based and institutional placements intervention programs for delinquent youths in 2017 intending to examine the impact of a family-focused approach to deal with juvenile offenders. The authors assessed Parenting with Love and Limits (PLL), a family-focused and community-based approach piloted in Florida to treat juvenile offenders with the aim of diverting youth away from residential facilities. Ryon, Early, and Kosloski discovered that the youth that had gone through the PLL program had averagely low recidivism rates. The article opined that community-based interventions attained lower rates of a felony conviction, reconviction, and subsequent placement in a justice system after one year of completing the program. The article concluded that community-based programs that incorporate both group and family-focused individuals are viable and effective alternatives to institutional placements are more restrictive for delinquent youths.
Functional Family Therapy (FFT).
Sexton (2010) found functional family therapy (FFT) to be an efficient and successful family-based treatment program in treating various problems that affect young people, including mental health problems, drug and substance abuse, conduct disorder, truancy, and other related problems. Noteworthy Sexton found that Functional Family Therapy treats families within various multicultural, multiethnic, and geographical contexts. Sexton discovered that the FFT program benefited more than 40,000 youths and families annually following its implementation in more than 300 communities across Europe and the United States over the past few decades. Moreover, Sexton noted that the program’s delivery and implementation in communities is based on five theoretical principles. He also noted that FFT employs technologies to enhance its outcomes, including the use of measurement feedback systems, a systematic measurement system, and a web-based quality improvement system. The article notes that since the FFT family-based treatment program is manual driven, these tools act as an accompaniment to the supervision and treatment manual protocol.
Parent Engagement and Family Reunification for Children in out-of-home Care
Lack of parental engagement remains the greatest challenge for family re-unitement after temporary child placement in out-of-home care services. Maltais, Cyr, Parent, and Pascuzzo (2019) conducted meta-analyses on studies for 2996 families to identify the most effective practices that can be used to promote family reunification and parental engagement. The authors examined the efficacy of goal-oriented parental engagement interventions and compared them to a group whose parents had standard services. The article revealed that parents that received goal-oriented engagement strategies were more and had higher chances of a smooth reunification with children receiving care away from home than parents that received standard services. The authors analyzed six interventions in the analyses, including training of child care staff, strategies promoting access to intervention, type of clinical modality, sources of motivation, focusing on the relationship between child care staff and parents and a number of clinical strategies. The authors came to the conclusion that results that family-focused interventions are effective in promoting parental engagement.
Family engagement for schizophrenia and the psychoses
McFarlane (2016) reviews the family interventions for Schizophrenia and Psychoses, treatment programs that came into being 40 years ago. As opposed to concentrating on the traditional goal of decreasing emotion to prevent relapse, McFarlane focuses on the social and role functioning of the family well being. The article refutes claims that family pathology leads to deterioration and relapse and affirms that family engagement in psychoeducation is an effective alternative. McFarlane noted that family engagement complements interventions provided by clinicians with specialized coping and interaction skills that counter the neurologic deficits inherent to the particular disorder. McFarlane concluded that family interventions indicate a 50-60% relapse rate reduction compared to usual treatment. He found that a combination of the prodromal psychosis alongside other evidence-based interventions is yielding promising results that include significant return to normalcy and total avoidance of psychosis altogether.
Parental Involvement in Treating Childhood Obesity
Faith-based interventions have solutions that are commonly employed when treating childhood obesity. Chai, Collins, May, Brain, See, and Burrows (2019) review the effectiveness of interventions for managing weight that are family-based in children with obesity. The article reveals that when it comes to treating childhood obesity, direct parental involvement improves the outcomes. The authors carried out systematic reviews on family-based interventions in children below 18 years, categorized their weight as obese or overweight. The article revealed that 13 in 14 of the total reviews proved successful in improving weight-related behavior in children. Chai, Collins, May, Brain, See, and Burrows concluded that family-based interventions that target parents either single-handedly or with their child have proved useful in managing child weight.
Conclusion
Practices including functional family therapy (FFT ), goal-oriented parental interventions, community-based and family-oriented alternatives to incarceration, Family interventions for schizophrenia, and psychoses and family-based weight running interventions for overweight and obesity children have proved effective in improving family well-being. There is a need to conduct further research to complement the lack of substantial evidence, particularly regarding the emerging interventions for parents in addressing obesity in children. Health practitioners must collaborate with change agents and focus on being role models for children to emulate when managing their weight. Future research should explore parent-child interventions and include a variety of populations.
References
Chai, L. K., Collins, C., May, C., Brain, K., See, D. W., & Burrows, T. (2019). Effectiveness of family-based weight management interventions for children with overweight and obesity: an umbrella review. JBI Evidence Synthesis, 17(7), 1341-1427.
Maltais, C., Cyr, C., Parent, G., & Pascuzzo, K. (2019). Identifying effective interventions for promoting parent engagement and family reunification for children in out-of-home care: A series of meta-analyses. Child abuse & neglect, 88, 362-375.
McFarlane, W. R. (2016). Family interventions for schizophrenia and the psychoses: A review. Family Process, 55(3), 460-482.
Ryon, S. B., Early, K. W., & Kosloski, A. E. (2017). Community-based and family-focused alternatives to incarceration: A quasi-experimental evaluation of interventions for delinquent youth. Journal of Criminal Justice, 51, 59-66.
Sexton, T. L. (2017). Functional family therapy. The Encyclopedia of Juvenile Delinquency and Justice, 1-7.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Effective management of call centre
EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF CALL CENTRES LOOKING AT ISSUES OF WORK DESIGN, STAFF MOTIVATION, RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT:
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Name
Class
Date
Research MethodologyMethodologyThe methodology chapter presents a depiction as well as a discussion of the methodology employed in research. This entails the compilation of information and data analysis to examine the hypotheses. The research philosophy, express the research rationale as well as the approach. It also describes the research strategy and finalizes with the delineation of data compilation and sample selection. Research StrategyThe research strategy signifies the most remarkable aspect in the entire research as well as the survey process is the research methodology. This is universally a method of acquiring data from preceding researches, magazines, articles, and journals. This gathering of information mainly facilitates the researcher in the short-term as well as in the long-term. Consequently, the researcher may implement diverse inferences through the research study. The research strategy chapter focuses mainly on the rudimentary aspects of the research study, which bear significance to the researcher. These critical qualities may encompass the research procedures, compilation of information, and utilization of diverse types of information. The chapter entails several merits as well as demerits of varied types of information, which enable the reader to straightforwardly comprehend the merits and de-merits associated to a specific method. The key aspect of contemplating a research process is to generate an insightful school of thought so that the researcher may achieve a credible conclusion.
Research PhilosophyThis chapter concerns assumptions on the perspectives pertinent to life, which underpin the research strategy as well as the chosen methods. The most universally known research philosophies, also referred to as epistemology are realism, interpretive, and positivism.
Research PurposeThree dissimilar research purposes include descriptive, explanatory, and exploratory. The descriptive research studies endeavor to depict situations as precisely as possible. In contrast, exploratory research studies are carried out when new insights ought to be attained in a specific focus of interest. This occurs when principally a familiar research subject matter is being scrutinized from a special angle. With the execution of explanatory research studies, elementary relationships between diverse variables are appraised and elucidated. This research will assume an exploratory study approach in investigating the linkages between how work design, staff motivation and training affects performance in call centers. Statistical analyses like correlation tests are usually executed in this type of research in order to achieve diverse insights into diverse relationships.
Research ApproachA research project design may assume two dissimilar approaches namely deductive or inductive. With a deductive approach, pertinent theories are verified and underlying relationships are explained. With the inductive approach, empirical data is initially ascertained, from which the hypotheses of the study is derived. This approach is also referred to as the qualitative approach. For this reason, the objectives of the research are founded, which are subsequently validated by means of quantitative methods.
Quantitative Approach to ResearchThe quantitative research methodology is considered as the most ordinary technique utilized in scientific researches. This approach utilizes data mined from diverse numerical based facets, and measurements. It appraises numerical data which are accordingly utilized to interpret the outcomes. The core philosophy of this study is dealt with statistical and numerical methods. While utilizing the quantitative research approach, it is essential that the researcher utilizes statistical data correlated to research areas and subjects.
Any discrepancies faced between numerical data and statistical data that are gathered from dissimilar sources in a sample population may be e illustrated by the quantitative based approach. The universal method of acquiring data in this case is via questionnaires or interviews. In order to authenticate or examine the hypothesis a number of mathematical or statistical techniques would be subsequently utilized. The researcher is not permitted to influence or corrupt the research as well as its components. The quantitative approach applies analysis of accrued information through statistical techniques whereby measures or the averages of central tendency are used on the sampled population.
Limitations and Advantages of Quantitative ResearchUtilization of quantitative measures, like quantitative data, is uncomplicated in gathering, translating, and storage, than a range of other forms of information collection methods. It also saves a lot of time in comparison to other forms of information collection methods. Any disparities in variables are easily found out and regularly measured. It is usually easy to compare the dissimilar variables in the sample data with the historical data through this approach.
The dominant limitation to this approach is the over generalization engaged, which may not produce the requisite information. Another drawback is the implicit generalised situation of the factual world. The utilized data would be objective and consequently, the data which is not capable of assessment numerically or statistically would by and large not generate any useful results. Another negative aspect of employing this approach is that, the whole research is executed in a controlled environment. Consequently, the numerical or statistical outcomes would subsequently be specific to the research. Such research outcomes would not be adequately flexible to be applied to generalised environments. Consequently, the statistical measures acquired cannot be appropriate in similar environments in the factual world. The quantitative approach thus, limits the scope of the research to some specific variables in specific situations whereby other essential variables may be neglected.
The deductive approach was considered as being the appropriate approach in this study. General theories were considered, which led to the formulation of the aims of the study. The questionnaire that would facilitate the data collection process was set up. The purpose is to test the existing literature to either reject or confirm the original theories towards the conclusion of the study. In this study, the research design will employ interviews whereby quantitative research techniques will be employed.
Research StrategyThe research strategy may be established on the basis of the research approach, as well as philosophy. It is essential to select the appropriate research strategy that will help in answering the research question (s) and meeting the research objectives. This dissertation pursues the deductive approach. The research strategy of choice in this dissertation is a survey, which is a usually pursued strategy in business research. This is because it permits the gathering of huge quantities of data from a considerable population in the most efficient way.
The rationale for employing questionnaires and surveys was that, they provide an unsophisticated access to the study of principles, and intent of the person who completed the questionnaire. Questionnaires or surveys may be customized to accumulate general data from roughly every human population. The data compiled from questionnaires or surveys is in essence quantitative in nature. In the course of the interview, the interviewer’s presence may encourage participation, and the interviewer may be able to judge the scope to which the exercise is treated sincerely.
Research Ethics
Respondents will grant informed consent prior to their contribution in the survey. The researcher will guarantee this by informing the relevant respondents concerning the purpose of this study. This will include, the contents, time limit of the survey, as well as the potential risks and benefits pertinent to the study. The respondents will be updated in regard to their freedom to withdraw from or participate in the study. The respondents will as well be informed regarding the privacy of their identities. The researcher will guarantee this by not connecting the respondents to their answers in the survey.
Primary Study Sampling and Data Collection In order to realize the dissertation aims and also compile data for hypothesis testing, a questionnaire was carried out. Sampling was constructive in restricting collection of data to a explicit subgroup which is of significance according to the dissertation aims. It is therefore imperative to delineate the pulled sample population.
Methods of Data Collection This dissertation design employs the utilization of interviews in the event that quantitative research techniques will be employed. Secondary as well as primary data will be coalesced in this research in pursuit of the study aims.Qualitative Approach to ResearchThe quantitative approach is a method to examine an established hypothesis based on statistical and mathematical techniques. In comparison, the qualitative approach creates an original theory by itself. Qualitative approach facilitates in giving significance to real-time experiences. It also grants meaning to the experiences in order to improve the reach to a variety of concerns. This approach is applied in research in order to investigate the richness, saturation, as well as the degree of complexities. The qualitative based approach is based on different viewpoints, such as the absence of real experiences. This is usually referred to as realism. Realism contrasts for different people and differs with the passage of time. Realism also posits that knowledge has significance only in the event of a specific situation or only in a precise context. This forms the rationale as to why the researcher’s own perception plays a critical role in this approach. The researcher’s role in this regard would be to research and utilize effectively his aptitude towards creating innovative ideas and creative thinking.
Limitations and Advantages of Qualitative ResearchThe qualitative approach is adequately flexible to adopt change in accordance with the prevailing situation. This approach presents the researcher with the opportunity to focus primarily on the research process. The interactive questionnaire proposed for the qualitative approach facilitates the survey participants to communicate their ideas and explanations, thus resulting in detailed knowledge and creativity. This approach does not review the samples only, but also makes an allowance for the knowledge utilized by the researcher as well as the participants. The participants are relatively more involved and motivated in the research process since the questionnaire in this study is descriptive based.
A disadvantage of utilizing this approach would include the prejudiced nature of the researcher and particularly the research participants in connection with any of the issues in the questionnaire or the research hypothesis. Another prominent shortcoming of the qualitative based approach is the subjectivity and restricted capacity of the present research. This intends that in the event that, the research is conducted by use of similar samples, it may produce outcomes that would be varying. Qualitative based approach requires s greater time in comparison to the quantitative approach. Data will be gathered through holding interviews with the employees in identified call centres. A structured semi-interview procedure will be developed. This will entail closed as well as open ended questions in order to facilitate the researcher in quantifying the compiled data.
Data Collection Method
Randomly selected participants will be provided with a questionnaire or involved in the survey. Survey responses will be achieved by means of closed-ended questions. In the research, collection of secondary data will be engaged in order to supplement the techniques of primary data collection. This is because the researcher will conduct a descriptive survey. The researcher is principally interested in understanding the relevance of linkages between how work design, staff motivation and training affects performance in call centres. The primary objective of the researcher in utilizing survey is to grant him with constructive hints for theory building as well as refinement. The secondary research will comprise document reviews whereby a bulky quantity of publications as well as pertinent materials are analyzed and examined. A broad variety of journals, books, as well as articles will be utilized in order to compile pertinent information in regard to the subject matter.
A limitation in regard to convenience sampling occurs since there is no verification that the sample is representative of the entire population. Nevertheless convenience sampling is extensively employed in business research. In regard to time and finance restrictions, convenience sampling facilitates the researcher in obtaining an enormous quantity of data in an uncomplicated, time-saving as well as economic manner. Random sampling is considered to be the most appropriate instrument in conducting a representative survey in the event of a known population. Consequently the population, with its characteristics must be identified and must participate in the survey. These requirements are impractical for this research subject and consequently irrelevant.
Data analysisThe research will employ qualitative as well as quantitative techniques in analyzing the compiled data. This will mainly be realized through the use of SPSS in data analysis. This is because, SPSS offers a user-friendly interface. While using SPSS, it is uncomplicated to load data sets following compilation. It is also feasible to create new variables from the existent variables and subsequently analyze as well as present the data in an assortment of formats such as tables and graphs. SPSS is also unproblematic to use in computing robust quantities of data. Nevertheless, SPSS will necessitate that the researcher uses limited data.
In data analysis, qualitative methods will also be employed since the method provides better information in regard to strategy assessment data. The qualitative methods will embrace the utilization of individual accounts through interviews as well as narrative responses to the survey. The qualitative data compiled will be analyzed through a strategy of constant comparative data reduction. Data reduction refers to a concept employed in the analysis of inconsistent data in social sciences. The key advantage of employing data reduction is the consistency and simplicity of analysis whereby data are broken up and the completed data found.
The majority of these data will be supplied by the call centres’ employees. The questionnaires to be utilized will be Likert structured questionnaire. This will be in a scale of one to five to facilitate simplicity of entry, tabulation, and analysis of data. For precision of the data, the research will utilize primary data. On the other hand, the key inadequacy of this method is that it is expensive to the data collector and also time consuming. There may also be some aspect of partiality which may be linked with this study. Validity and Reliability of OutcomesIn this study, the reliability as well as the validity of the compiled data will be depending on the design of the real questionnaire utilized. However, in optimizing the latter, cautious planning of questions, the layout as well as distinct elucidation of the rationale as well as pilot testing will be considered. The validity, reliability, and generalizations will be addressed by employing data verification as well as construct validity checks. The researcher will be cautious in regard to reflexivity issues. Sources of information including books as well as journals should be considered in order to achieve reliable as well as valid data by means of triangulation.
Ethical Considerations Associated With Research
Ethics will be attended to by effecting a human subject’s application. It is in line with standard good practice in regard to research that concerns individual volunteers as research subjects. All pertinent ethical conditions will be considered through the requisite best practice standards. Permission will be solicited prior to engaging the individuals in interviews as well as the questionnaire. An approval to execute this research will be acquired from the call centres, management through the use of letters. Opinions will be documented in the questionnaires and confidentially will be maintained. Upon completion of the analysis of data, these questionnaires will be destroyed. All realized research findings will be considered extremely confidential in regard to the information offered by the respondents’. As an ethical obligation, comments will not be linked with the source devoid of the respondent’s express permission.
Bibliography
Burney S. Inductive & Deductive Research Approach, Karachi: University Of Karachi Press. 2008.
Chase and Aquilano. Production and Operations Management: A Life Cycle Approach, New York: Homewood Press. 2000.
Cooper & Schindler, Business Research Methods, New York: McGraw-Hill. 2003
Creswell, J. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Beverly Hills: Sage. 2002.
Easterby, Smith. Management Research, London: Sage. 2005.
Forza, Cipriano. “Survey research in operations management, a process based perspective.” International Journal of Operations and Production management, 2002.
Jørgen Carling. Using SPSS in research projects, Berlin: Hovedfag. 2001.
Murat, Kristal. “The Effect of Quality Management on Mass Customization Capability.” International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 2010.
Phelps T. Organizing and managing your Research: A practical guide for Postgraduates, London: Sage. 2007.
Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill. Research Methods for Business Students, Harlow: Prentice Hall. 2003.
Thesis Purpose Statement
Effective Behavior Management Strategies to Support Special Needs StudentsDereka L. Holland
Texas A&M Commerce
Abstract
Will be completed by due date.
Thesis/ Purpose Statement
This paper examines the behavior interventions and supports used in the classroom by teachers with special needs students to help manage or change behavior school wide. My aim was to explore different research-based strategies and measure how well they were effective with my students in the classroom and across the school campus. With these effective behavior strategies, I hope that they can support teachers in helping decrease the negative behaviors in the classroom with students of disabilities.
Literature Review
Behavior management is vital to the learning environment and can be a major distraction if it is not controlled or managed. According to Lavay, French and Henderson (2007) behavior management means more than controlling students to make them behave. It can be a little different with students who are disabled. Their misbehavior can be triggered and completely out of their control. The teacher must think effectively about the best way to manage students who face these behavior challenges. The goal of this literature review is to compare how other authors view behavior management and the best way to manage it with students who are disabled. In Building Classroom Management by C.M Charles and Karen Cole, the authors explain the teacher’s role in managing the classroom starting with developing management skills. They discussed how important effective communication in a classroom management system is for teachers and students. While reading I noticed that some of the recommended behavior strategies for the general population were different than students with disabilities. The authors stated that these students have difficulty controlling their own behavior. (Charles and Cole, pg.297) Some suggestions were to remain calm, use pictorial/visual cue cards, use a nonconfrontational and unemotional tone.
Behavior Intervention Plan
In the article, A Practical Plan for Managing the behavior of students with disabilities in General Physical Education by Barry Lavay, Ron French and Hester Henderson stated that behavior management is grouped into three categories described as behavior, psychodynamic and biophysical. Lavay et al stated that, no one specific behavior management approach will work all the time with all students. The authors mentioned this because some educators are comfortable repeating the same approach that they are comfortable with based on their experiences. In this article the authors mentioned the difference between a behavior management plan and a behavior intervention plan which is developed by a team of professionals such as the ARD committee for a student with a disability who has severe behavior problems. The behavior intervention plan is created and implemented in the students IEP. Lavay et al suggested using the behavior management eclectic and ecological model when creating a behavior intervention plan or behavior management plan. The model consists of designing a plan, identifying the behavior, develop and implement the behavior intervention plan, observe, and evaluate. (LaVay et al. 2007)
Time Outs
With experience I noticed that many teachers use time-out corners but now have been given a new name such as cool down spots. According to Costenbader & Reading-Brown (1995) timeouts should only be used when less restrictive interventions have not been successful. The authors stated that many educators make an exception for this rule when the student is extremely acting out and it is a safety concern for others.
Self-Advocacy Strategy
In the article, Behavior Management through Self-Advocacy: A Strategy for Secondary Students with Learning Disabilities by Ronen Sebag (2010) suggests implementing a behavior management model that focuses on self- determination and self-advocacy to improve the students understanding of themselves and their strengths and weaknesses to support their ability to create strategies and goals for behavior improvement. The author believes that no single strategy will solve all situations like the reading of Barry Lavay, Ron French, and Hester Henderson. The author describes the self- advocacy behavior model as a model that is student centered, student directed, and student driven. It is different from models like a behavior management plan or behavior intervention plan because the educators are the creators, and they implement this strategy. The self-advocacy behavior model allows the student to identity the problem behavior, create a strategy to improve this negative behavior, reflect on how well the strategy was effective and make the necessary adjustments if needed.
Using Rewards
Using a reward system to encourage positive behavior has been a go to for many teachers and administrators in the classroom and school wide to motivate and teach students the expectations. The authors Witzel and Mercer (2003) stated that in special education dealing with student behavior is important for minimizing distractions and having students focus. According to Witzel and Mercer, students with learning disabilities have indicated that their feeling competence tie directly into self-esteem. Based on the readings, it is best to infer that self-advocacy, self-esteem and motivation are key factors in behavior for students with disabilities. The authors believe that educators should determine the problem and work to reduce the problem and improve student performance which involves teaching adaptive skills to the student’s environment in and outside the classroom. Then motivate the student to want to behave such as reward. They argue that rewards do not always bring a positive reinforcement. Witzel and Mercer stated, “how the delivery of the reward is received affects the possible long-term motivational effects of the reward. During research the findings appear to be unclear because the researchers had differences against the use of tangible rewards. Instead, research suggest that educators use a proposed motivational model which can help teachers develop positive behavior interventions.
Behavior Analysis Technique
In the book, Solving Discipline and Classroom Management Problems by Charles H. Wolfgang (2009), the author suggests using the behavior analysis technique when dealing with misbehavior. When using this technique, it requires the teacher to collect data and establish a behavioral objective that identifies the learner, the antecedent condition, or the occasion when the behavior occurs and identify the criteria for acceptable performance. Data can be collected by event recording, graphing the total number of disruptive events for each school day or an anecdotal report. In my classroom I collect data on my most problematic behaviors and meet with ARD committee and/or parents to create a behavior plan. Data is the most efficient tool a teacher can have because it supports as evidence. We will never be able to fully control a student’s behavior, but we can manage it to have a successful learning environment and positive climate and culture classroom.
Methodology
The research was conducted at a public school, Dr. Billy E. Dade Middle School which is in a high-poverty area. The population of students is about 800. Of the 800 students, 150 of them are identified as special needs and/or 504 students. These students’ disabilities consist of a learning disability (LD), emotional disturbance (ED), autism spectrum disorder (AUT), intellectual disability (ID), other health impairment (OHI) such as ADHD, speech or language impairment, visual impairment, and deafness. The research was particularly based on my seventh-grade special education unit class that consists of ten students who have one or more of the disabilities mentioned. The class consist of three girls and seven boys. These students may receive special services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or adaptive physical education in the classroom. The students receive 70% of their instruction inside the classroom and 30% in the school cafeteria and elective classes. Each student has an individualized education plan that is put in place with individualized goals and objectives pertaining to that student. Inside the classroom, I am the teacher of record and I also have one teacher assistant inside the classroom. For this action research paper, I chose to focus on the behavior problems that are severe in my classroom so that I can improve and help other special education teachers.
Data Collection
My data collection consisted of observing three other special education teachers besides my class to observe behavior problems and the interventions teachers used when a negative behavior occurred. This allowed me to observe the behavior management methods that teachers are using. While observing the other teachers, I conducted a short interview with them about the behaviors that I saw. The teachers were given a quick survey towards the end of my study. In one class, the teacher was able to recognize a student getting ready to misbehave before he did it, based on his body language. After observing and noting some behaviors in other classes, I started collecting data on my own class. I created an anecdotal note form that included the date/time, location, what happened before and what happened after. Data was collected for two to three weeks. I reviewed each students red folder which has all confidential information such as medical records and individualized education plan pertaining to the student. My data collection would begin after 8:20 which is when the instructional day begins. I interviewed my teacher assistant to receive her viewpoint on the strategies being used in the classroom and how we can improve the behavior management strategies that are in place. To help promote positive behavior, I use ClassDojo as a communication tool with parents and as a point system for behavior. Students and parents can see the point system and the notes about their behavior each day.
Data Findings
The findings from the teacher observations showed that we were all using the same behavior intervention strategies. With the behavior strategies that I recommended to those teachers, some students responded positively to them, and a few didn’t. In my class, I found that it was easier to intervene and implement the behavior strategies with the girls quicker than the boys. Before the beginning of class every day, we reviewed the classroom expectations and consequences verbally and using visual/pictorial cues. I noticed when I start the class with setting the expectation that reduced the negative behaviors in the morning. I know that repetition is important for special education students, so it’s important that I continue repeating the behavior expectation. When a negative behavior occurred, I resulted to using positive reinforcement, time-out or thirty minutes of the cool down spot, and student-teacher conference to review the behavior, why it happened and what can be done differently. I found that using time-outs does not guarantee the behavior will be corrected, the student improved for the moment just to return to his desk. After learning and using the ClassDojo system, it helped to improve behavior. Students were able to recognize when they received points for negative or positive behavior. Parents began to establish effective communication with me in how I can support their child and provided techniques that were used at home to manage behavior issues. By the end of the two weeks, my behavior problems decreased from the whole class having a bad day to about two or three students a day. At the end of my study, I reviewed the surveys that were given to the three special education teachers. All three of the teachers agreed that classroom behavior is the main challenge that they have and that more training is needed campus-wide on how to manage behavior issues of students with disabilities. Two of the three believed that the time-out method was an effective behavior management strategy to help promote positive behavior. All three teachers agreed that it was important to for the teacher to model and set the expectation of classroom behavior. One teacher stated that providing the students with immediate feedback can relive some of negative behaviors and can help correct it. As a result of my findings from the survey, all three teachers commented it’s important for special education teachers to continue to take training and educate themselves on ways to improve behavior management with special education students.
Survey given to teachers.
Introduction
Will be completed by due date.
References
Charles, C. M., & Cole, K. M. (2018). Building Classroom Management: Methods and Models. Pearson.
Costenbader, V., & Reading-Brown, M. (1995). Isolation timeout used with students with emotional disturbance. Exceptional Children, 61(4), 353–363. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440299506100404
Lavay, B., French, R., & Henderson, H. (2007). A practical plan for managing the behavior of students with disabilities in general physical education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 78(2), 42–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/07303084.2007.10597973
Sebag, R. (2010). Behavior Management through Self-Advocacy: A Strategy for Secondary Students with Learning Disabilities.
Shagoury, R., & Power, B. M. (2012). Living the questions: A guide for teacher-researchers. Stenhouse Publishers.
Witzel, B. S., & Mercer, C. D. (2003). Using rewards to teach students with disabilities. Remedial and Special Education, 24(2), 88–96. https://doi.org/10.1177/07419325030240020401
Wolfgang, C. H. (2009). Solving discipline and classroom management problems: Methods and models for today’s teachers. Wiley.