School-Based Behavioral Assessment: Informing Intervention and Instruction

Revised and expanded with the latest tools and strategies, this concise book offers guidance for effectively conducting social, emotional, and behavioural assessments in today’s K–12 schools. The expert authors present foundational knowledge on assessment and data-based decision making at all levels—whole schools, small groups, or individual students—within a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS). Chapters describe when, why, and how to use extant data, systematic direct observation, direct behaviour rating, and rating scales.

In a large-size format for easy photocopying, the book includes reproducible forms and templates. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials.

New to This Edition:

• Reflects a decade of change in behavioural assessment, including an increased focus on screening and progress monitoring.
• Includes current knowledge about the defensibility, usability, repeatability, and flexibility of each method.
• Focuses on social, emotional, and behavioural assessment within MTSS frameworks.
• Chapter on practical applications, featuring in-depth case studies.
• Reproducible tools now available online.

For school psychologists, classroom teachers, special educators, behavioural specialists, school counsellors, and school social workers working with students ages 5–17 (grades K–12).

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction to School-Based Behavioral Assessment
2. Getting Out of the Gate: Asking Questions to Drive the Assessment Process
3. Using Extant Data in Behavioral Assessment
4. Systematic Direct Observation
5. Direct Behavior Rating
6. Behavior Rating Scales
7. Using Behavioral Assessment Data to Make Decisions
8. Practical Applications of Behavioral Assessment

References

Index

"I have reviewed and used a number of books on behavioral assessment, and have never encountered one that is better organized, higher in quality, or more readable than this one. This book has so many strengths that it’s a challenge to acknowledge them all. In addition to their expertise in behavioral assessment, it is clear that these authors know and understand school settings and operations from the ground up. They present cost-effective tools and strategies that teachers and other school staff can easily implement and show how assessment can support good decision making if used correctly. The book provides myriad illustrations of assessment techniques and informative case studies that greatly enhance the reader’s understanding of how to apply the material. We are fortunate to have our graduate students and future professionals exposed to information like this."
- Hill M. Walker, PhD, Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences (Emeritus), University of Oregon; Senior Scientist, Oregon Research Institute

"This excellent second edition connects recent behavioral assessment research to school-based applications for implementation within MTSS frameworks. Chafouleas and her colleagues remain committed to a prevention-based approach, in which behavioral assessment gives priority to decreasing both the incidence of new academic, social, and behavioral difficulties and the prevalence and intensity of problem behaviors that already exist. School psychologists and counselors, special and general educators, and others who rely on data-based decision making will find this resource to be highly translatable and implementable in their professional roles."
- George Sugai, PhD, Neag School of Education (Emeritus), University of Connecticut