Quick Note...REVISED 02/01/07

SPED 553 Class,

The Problem Behavior Questionnaire & Profile link has been added to the homework documents side banner but the Edweb server is down...so, you probably will not have access to the document until Wednesday evening....okay, it's Thursday morning and the server remains down...and it appears that I will be unable to upload files until early next week...so, I will proceed to email (based on the email address you provided at last class session) you the Problem Behavior Questionnaire & Profile document as an attachment. Sorry for the technical difficulties.

OKAY...NO NEED to email..the link for the missing form works now!!!!

Also, don't forget that I will have the letters about the case in an envelope outside my office by this afternoon...Thursday afternoon.

One other important note...the basic requirements for the student you select are:

• Has to be a student/child with a disability (current IEP/IFSP)
• Individual has a behavioral difficulty that is affecting ability to achieve goals & objectives on IEP/IFSP
• Behavioral problems CANNOT be related to behaviors that places the student or others in danger. If there is already a process to conduct an FA to develop a BIP for a particular student...it is strongly recommended that you select a student who is not currently in that process...remember that you are selecting a student who is NOT in crisis at the time. The process of developing an FA in this class will take most of the semester and if a child needs an FA for the reasons listed in the CA ed code...then, let's leave that up to the BICM and the IEP team...
  
• Has to be a student that you will have access to for the remainder of the semester.

If you are having difficulty finding a student for the project in this class, please send me an EMAIL ASAP as I am currently working with several MA students who would be willing to open up their classrooms for you to conduct your observations...

Thanks,

Dr. A

Time to Start Posting

Dear SPED 553 Class,

Now that you have embarked on your readings for this course....it is a great opportunity to begin a discussion of the basic concepts you will have to learn in this class...who wants to start?

Okay, I'll start:

Example:
Positive Reinforcement. When the teacher asks a question in class, a student raises his hand, remains quiet, waits to be called on, and when the teacher calls on him, she delivers verbal praise by telling him that she really liked how he raised his hand, remained quiet, and waited to be called on (contingent delivery of a consequence following a behavior that increases a behavior's rate of occurrence...in future). It would be considered positive reinforcement IF, the behavior of hand raising and remaining quiet MAINTAINS OR INCREASES its future rate of occurrence when the teacher asks questions.

Positive reinforcement occurs with ALL behaviors regardless of how socially appropriate or inappropriate they are. For example, the child who tantrums because they want a candy...and the parent gives them the candy...well, that child was positively reinforced because the trantruming resulted in the contingent delivery of a consequence (candy) that will undoubtedly increase/maintain the trantruming's rate of occurrence (in the future) each time the child wants a candy....makes sense?

(Extension: In the first example, we could say that Generalization of the behavior occured if hand raising extends to similar situations such as during class discussions, rather than just instances of the teacher asking questions, or if the behavior is exhibited in different classes and with different teachers).

If the behavior does not maintain or increase its rate in the future, well, then it does not fit the definition of positive reinforcement (green type) and cannot be considered as such.

The term, "positive" in the concept of POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT should not be viewed as the typical use of the term referring to something "good." Rather, think of the term "positive" in terms of math functions...that is an "additive" function.

Who wants to try with other terms/concepts?

Welcome

Welcome SPED 553 Class,

Welcome to the SPED 553 Class Blog. We will use the class blog to (a) hold class-related discussions and share relevant web-based resources, (b) distribute lecture notes, (c) provide access to forms required for homework assignments as well as the final project, and (d) provide audio podcasts of material relevant for the course.

BLOG
Initially I will initiate the discussions, within the first weeks of the semester, you will be granted greater access to the class blog and will be able to initiate blog entries that class mates can respond to.

In the meantime, check out the California Department of Education Composite of Laws. This is the site where you will be searching Califonia's interpretation of the IDEA...specifically you will be required to download California regulations that pertain to Positive Behavior Supports.

California Department of Education Composite of Laws

CLASS LECTURE NOTES
You will be responsible for dowloading your own copies of the lecture notes. All class notes have been posted as hyperlinks on this class blog...See right side banner with notes hyperlinks.

Notes for First Few Class Sessions.

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT FORMS
All homework assignment forms (formatted in Microsoft Word) are now available for downloading right from the class blog...See right side banner with homework and final assignment hyperlinks.

PODCASTS
Click on the link below for welcome podcast:

SPED 553 Welcome Podcast.

I look forward to having a productive and rewarding semester.

Thanks,

Jose Luis