Using Information Technology to Prepare Personnel to Implement Functional Behavioral Assessment and Positive Behavioral Support

Abstract

Reauthorization of the Individual With Disabilities Education Act (1997) produced new language concerned with placement and instruction of students who present challenging behaviors and for whom there is risk of disability determination. The result is an immediate need for preservice personnel preparation as well as staff and professional development practices and procedures concerned with functional behavioral assessment and positive behavioral support (PBS). Recent advances in information technologies are creating new opportunities for advancing this training agenda. This article examines some of the impediments to effective dissemination of training in PBS such as philosophical barriers, school discipline policies, and the inadequacy of present professional and staff training models. It suggests ways that new information technologies can overcome these obstacles and reviews some new approaches using CD-ROM and online instructional methodologies to advance the training agenda.The explosion of new information technologies in the past decade has provided a much needed opportunity to reshape the landscape of both personnel training (preservice) and ______________________________________________________________________ Requests for reprints should be sent to Wayne Sailor, University Affiliated Program-Lawrence,