OSPA Spring 2003 CONFERENCE

Oklahoma School Psychological Association Presents

Prevention Strategies for Managing Student Behavior

Steven G. Little, Ph.D.

University at Albany

State University of New York

ABOUT THE WORKSHOP AND THE SPEAKER

The purpose of this workshop is to provide practical training and materials to assist practitioners with developing effective behavior intervention plans, as well as in assisting teachers in developing and maintaining a classroom environment that reduces the likelihood of behavior problems. In addition to covering the basics of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and functional behavior assessment (FBA), detailed strategies will be provided to assist practitioners in all aspects of behavior management. As research suggests that proactive models can greatly reduce problem behaviors and increase desired behaviors, empirically validated strategies and techniques will be presented that can help in the prevention of behavioral difficulties as well as address existing behavioral concerns. While the strategies are rooted in theory, the emphasis will be on providing practical, efficacious approaches.

Steven G. Little, Ph.D. is currently an associate professor and Director of the Division of School Psychology at the University at Albany, State University of New York. He is the immediate Past-President of Division 16 (School Psychology) of the American Psychological Association and the treasurer for the Council of Directors of School Psychology programs at Hofstra University, The University of Alabama, Northern Illinois University, and California State University Northridge. While on the faculty of each of these universities, he served as a consultant to local school districts in the area of behavior management.

He received his Ph.D. in School Psychology in 1987 from Tulane University and in addition to his academic appointments, has worked as a school psychologist in rural and suburban Louisiana parishes (counties to the rest of the country) and a state residential facility for people with developmental disabilities. His research interests include behavioral interventions with a focus on conduct disordered children and youth, the role of teacher attributions on the consultation process, issues in inclusion, and professional issues in school psychology. He served as editor of The School Psychologist for 6 years and he currently serves on the editorial boards of several major school psychology journals, as well as the Journal of Social Psychology. He is the author of over 50 articles and book chapters and has made over 80 presentations at national and international meetings.

OUTLINE OF THE WORKSHOP

Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention Strategies for Managing Student Behavior


I. Overview and Basic Concepts
Prevention and Intervention
Importance of Ecological Explanations
Applied Behavior Analysis
Functional Behavior Analysis
Home: Basic Training for Problem Behaviors

II. Applied Behavior Analysis
Functional Relationships
Functions of Consequent Stimuli
Control of Behavior by Antecedent Stimuli
Effectively Using Reinforcement
When and How to Use Punishment

III. Proactive Classroom Management
Classroom Rules
Classroom Schedule
Structuring Classroom Space
Teacher Behavior

IV. Specific Approaches for Managing Problem Behavior
School – Home Notes
Behavioral Contracting
Group Contingencies
Self-Monitoring

V. Working With Parents
Obstacles and Overcoming Them
Sample Parent Training Program

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