Program Overview

Introduction to the Paraeducator Behavior Modules

The Paraeducator Behavior Modules (PBM) are designed for paraeducators working with students who present moderate to significant behavior challenges. Developed by behavior analysts and professionals with extensive experience supporting paraeducators, these modules aim to provide paraeducators with the necessary training to effectively engage with these students.

Program Overview

The PBM consists of three modules, guiding paraeducators through 15 learning objectives, which equate to approximately 12 hours of professional learning. The course is available for 365 days after enrollment. The modules are available to school districts, charter schools, and paraeducators for $50 per person.

Module 1: Identifying and Defining Challenging Behavior

Objectives and Rationale

• Objective 1: Paraeducators will apply what they learned to determine what a student is "saying" with their challenging behavior.
  • Rationale: To be effective, paraeducators should learn to recognize and alter environmental variables that may negatively affect student attention, learning, and variables that positively affect behaviors needed to optimize a student's learning.
• Objective 2: Paraeducators will analyze the data collected on ABC data sheets to hypothesize the antecedents and/or consequences that may contribute to and/or maintain the challenging behavior.
  • Rationale: To understand why a student may be engaging in challenging behavior, paraeducators need to understand antecedents and consequences.
• Objective 3: Paraeducators will communicate effectively with appropriate staff to review and analyze collected data.
  • Rationale: As a paraeducator, collecting accurate data is one of the most important things we will do.
• Objective 4: Paraeducators will hypothesize the function of the student's challenging behavior using four main functions of behavior.
  • Rationale: Paraeducators will learn to hypothesize why a student is displaying challenging behavior.
• Objective 5: Paraeducators will implement antecedent interventions in the supervising teacher's direction.
  • Rationale: Paraeducators will learn the components of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) and basic behavioral strategies to employ when a student engages in challenging behavior.

Module 2: Identifying and Manipulating Environmental Variables

Objectives and Rationale

• Objective 1: Paraeducators will identify and manipulate environmental variables.
  • Rationale: To be effective, paraeducators should learn to recognize and alter environmental variables that may negatively affect student attention, learning, and variables that positively affect behaviors needed to optimize a student's learning.
• Objective 2: Paraeducators will learn to hypothesize potential functions of behavior.
  • Rationale: Paraeducators need to recognize and understand the four primary functions of behavior and review all collected data to determine "why" a student may be engaging in challenging behavior.
• Objective 3: Paraeducators will learn to employ function-matched interventions.
  • Rationale: Paraeducators will learn some of the most commonly used behavioral interventions and how to employ them based on the hypothesized function of a student's challenging behavior.
• Objective 4: Paraeducators will understand considerations and resources needed to successfully implement behavior interventions.
  • Rationale: Paraeducators will recognize and understand the required elements needed for effective implementation of function-matched interventions.
• Objective 5: Paraeducators will understand how to implement interventions with fidelity.
  • Rationale: Paraeducators will learn the components of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) including behavior reduction and skill acquisition goals.
• Objective 6: Paraeducators will learn roles and responsibilities of staff in regard to the creation and implementation of a BIP.
  • Rationale: Paraeducators recognize that teachers and professional staff determine if a BIP is needed.

Module 3: Vital Elements of a BIP

Objectives and Rationale

• Objective 1: Paraeducators will learn vital elements of a BIP.
  • Rationale: Paraeducators will understand the vital elements of a BIP and what elements will have the most significant impact on student outcomes.
• Objective 2: Paraeducators will learn BIP roles and responsibilities.
  • Rationale: Paraeducators will understand the roles and responsibilities of staff members relating to BIP creation and implementation.
• Objective 3: Paraeducators will understand the school's capacity to implement a BIP.
  • Rationale: To ensure fidelity, paraeducators need to understand their school's capacity to fully implement a BIP.
• Objective 4: Paraeducators will learn to determine if a BIP is effective.
  • Rationale: After a BIP is implemented, paraeducators working parallel to their teacher will review student data to evaluate a BIP's current effectiveness.