Central Washington University

EDSE 410 (510) Course Syllabus

 

 

Course Title:  Behavior Management for Students with Disabilities/Instructional Management

 

Faculty Member Information:                      

Instructor:  David Majsterek

              Office:  Black Hall 208-4

              Phone:  963-1473 Majsterek

              E-mail:  majstere@cwu.edu

              Web: www.cwu.edu/~majstere

 

Course Description: (410) Fundamentals of behavior change related to the education of students with disabilities.  Monitoring individual student progress and utilizing data collected for program instructional change.

 

(510) Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles will be presented.  Their interpretation in a range of research will be presented.

 

Course Rationale:

Consistent with

+ the missions of a) CWU ("Docendo Discimus"), and b) CEPS ("Facilitators of learning in a diverse world);

+ the administrative codes of Washington (WACs 181-78A-270); and

+ the Council for Exceptional Children goals for all teachers ("Common Core of Knowledge and Skills Essential for All Beginning Special Education Teachers"). 

+ EDSE 410 (510) uses the constructivist and behaviorist models to provide opportunities for students to acquire knowledge and skills derived from theoretical bases pertinent to the competencies listed below.  EDSE 410 is also designed to develop knowledgeable consumers of single-subject-design research and effective implementers of such research as educational practitioners.

 

Textbook and Other Required Materials for the Course:

Alberto, P.A., & Troutman, A.C. (2006). Applied behavior analysis for teachers

( 7th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill, Prentice Hall.

 

In addition, students will read, and submit reviews of articles from ABA literature. (See "Instructional Methods and Activities" and "Bibliography" below.)

 

Specific Learner Outcomes: (WA 2007 Endorsement Competencies for Special Education P-12)

Student will demonstrate the following:

1.    (WA 2007 P-12 1.4) Issues, assurances, case law, and due process rights related to assessment, eligibility, and placement within a continuum of services

2.    (WA 2007 p-12_2.4) Family/community/education programs that provide information and resources concerning individuals with disabilities

3.    (WA 2007 P-12 2.6) Strategies for collaborating with families of and service providers to individuals who are chronically or terminally ill

4.    (WA 2007 P-12 3.1) Basic terminology used in assessment of individuals with disabilities

5.    (WA 2007 P-12 3.2) Legal provisions and ethical principles regarding assessment of individuals

6.    (WA 2007 P-12 3.4) Appropriateness of various instruments and procedures for assessing individuals with disabilities including children who are culturally and linguistically diverse

7.    (WA 2007 P-12 4.5) Research-based methods for increasing student learning in adaptive, social, emotional, behavioral, communication, and independent living skills

8.    (WA 2007 P-12 4.12) Strategies for coordination of learning programs for general education and special education staff to meet students' needs

9.    (WA 2007 P-12 5.1) Laws, policies/regulations, and ethical principles regarding positive behavior management planning and implementation, discipline, and aversive therapy

10.    (WA 2007 P-12 5.2) Responsibilities regarding procedures for Functional Behavioral Assessment, manifestation determination, and behavior intervention planning

11.    (WA 2007 P-12 5.4) Social skills needed for education, community living, and other environments

12.    (WA 2007 P-12 5.5) Strategies for crisis prevention and de-escalation of aggressive behavior

13.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.2.3) Observe and record the behaviors of individuals who are taking medications and share data/observations with family and other professionals when appropriate

14.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.2.4) Use current information from assessments and evaluations to inform instructional practice

15.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.3.3) Use comprehensive assessment procedures

16.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.3.4) Utilize ongoing evaluation/assessment data to determine the effectiveness of specially designed instruction and related services

17.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.3.5) Use performance data and information from all team members to inform and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in learning environments

18.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.4.9) Use research-based methods to increase student learning in adaptive, social, emotional, behavioral, communication, and independent living skills

19.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.4.13) Use research-based strategies for facilitating maintenance and generalization of skills across learning environments

20.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.4.14) Use instructional time to positively impact student learning by designing and managing effective daily routines

21.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.5.1) Use the least intrusive behavior management strategy consistent with the needs of the individual learner

22.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.5.2) Modify instructional approaches and the learning environment to manage behaviors

23.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.6.2) Uphold high standards of competence and integrity and exercise sound judgment in the practice of the profession consistent with the Council for Exceptional Children Code of Ethics

24.    (WA 2007 P-12 6.6.3) Access professional organizations and publications (printed/electronic) that support individuals with disabilities, their families, and colleagues

Course Topics:

The course focuses on behavioral change through monitoring of an individual's (group's) progress. Using data to make program and instructional changes is emphasized.  Learning theory, behavioral terminology and procedures, and classroom implications of behavior problems are discussed.

 

Instructional Methods and Activities:

 

Information will be disseminated by lectures, presentations, class discussions, videos, outside assignments, and in-class activities.  Group collaborative activities will be assigned.

 

Assessment/Activities:

 

A. During each class there will be projects and/or activities.  Each will contain a component that takes place in collaboration with other students, and is specifically designed for that instructional segment of the course. Participation in all class activities constitutes 5% of final grade.

 

B. A behavioral study will be conducted (Click here for a sample project).  All studies will be detailed in prose, will have a "described" intervention that lasts at least 10 days, and will include data presented in a computer-generated format (See "Outline for behavior change project"): 36% of final grade.  (With pre-approval, pairs of students may collaborate on a single project.  Both will share the grade for the study.)  Note:  This product will be included in students' rough-draft' portfolio if they intend to participate in EDSE 495 or 490. Click here to download a copy of the scoring rubric.

 

C. There will be three assessments during the quarter.  These will focus on the reading assignments, lectures, and class activities: Percentage allocation will be 20, 20, and 5 percent, respectively.

 

D. Five (eight for EDSE 510 students) different ABA articles will be read, reviewed and summarized in writing by class participants. Four articles will be provided by the instructor; one will be provided by the student.

 

12% of final grade [2%/1% per reviewed article & 2% for a class presentation of one individually-selected article].  (See "bibliography" section below for sources of articles.)

 

For full credit the articles will be ABA research, and reviews will adhere to the following assessment rubric:

 

___ APA-formatted Reference/Title (.5):

Brigham, T.A., Meier, S.M., & Goodner, V. (1995). Increasing designated driving with 

a program of prompts and incentives. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 28(1),

83-84.

 

___ Background (.2):

Briefly state why the researcher(s) chose to do the study.  Base your background information on what the researcher(s) said in their introduction to the article.

 

___ Research Design (.5):

       Specify  the population used in the study;

       Specify  independent variable(s) (usually the intervention strategy that was manipulated);

       Specify  dependent variable(s) (usually the behavior that changed as a result of the intervention); and

       Specify procedural design (e.g., ABAB, changing criterion, multiple baseline).

 

___ Results (.5):

Describe the outcome of the study.  Did the independent variable effect a behavior change?

 

___ Discussion (.3):

Briefly reflect on the article and indicate how the finding(s) might be applied in your classroom.

 

Note1:  APA format for reference, and correct grammar and spelling are expected for maximum points. A sample article from Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis can be downloaded by clicking here.  (Click here for a  sample  summary of this article.)

 

Note 2: Students will share one "approved" article with the class during the quarter.  Approval guarantees that two students will not present the same article in class.  Once a student finds an article of interest, he/she should record the citation in the in the place provided by the instructor.  Earlier submissions increase the odds of approval)

 

E. Using the "Outline for behavior change project," students will provide oral and written feedback to a classmate on their peer's behavior-change project. A written summary of this exchange will be submitted to the "evaluated" student to be attached to their behavior change project  (with reflections) at time of submission: 2% of final grade. (See scoring format for this activity.)

 

F.  EDSE 510 students will research a series (6-10 research studies) of interventions reported in the ABA literature (e.g., the use of signs as prompts). A class presentation of approximately 30-40 minutes will summarize the findings as these relate to instructional and/or behavioral management.  Each graduate-level participant will earn only one point for the 4 'assigned' articles described above. The remaining 8 points will come from this compiling and sharing. The project will be delivered using a PowerPoint  format and will include an annotated bibliography for all students in the audience.


Grading:

See statements regarding grading and "incomplete" grades appearing in current CWU catalog.  Grading is based on course activities listed in "Assessment" (above).

A=98% A-=95% B+=92% B=89%B-=86% C+=83% C=80% C-=77%

 

Course Schedule:

A tentative schedule will be distributed toward the beginning of the course. Click here for the most recent calendar version.

 

Class Policies:

 A. Students who have special requirements or disabilities that may affect their ability to access information and/or material presented in this course are encouraged to contact the instructor during the first week of classes so that appropriate modifications can be provided.  You may also wish to contact the ADA compliance officer at the ADA Affairs and Student Assistance office on campus (963-2171) for additional disability-related educational accommodations.

 

B. While attendance is not mandatory, regular collaborative activities (see Assessment/Activities A) among students comprise 5% of the course grade. Students who are unavailable for activities (or tests) do not earn the points related to each.

 

C. Assessments are offered at specific times during the quarter.  Being absent on such occasions does not automatically entitle the student to a make-up examination.  Students who anticipate being absent from class should notify the instructor to see if accommodations are possible for an alternative assessment.

 

D. While students work at different paces, often assignments serve as advance organizers for specific classes.  Not having read an article, written a reflection, or completed an assignment can detract from optimal learning.  The instructor feels that it is better to come to class unprepared than not at all, but it is better to come to class prepared than not prepared. 

 

E. The behavior change projects will constitute the "rough draft portfolio" component for students who intend to do a special education practicum.

 

F. There are no extra-credit activities.

 

G.  Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period and lose 10% of their value for each day beginning at class start time.  Emailed assignments are accepted; date and time of message/attachment will be noted.

 

H.  If students are enrolled in two classes that overlap in time, they are responsible for ALL coursework requirements.

 

I.  Admission to and continuation in the Teacher  Education Program requires that you purchase LiveText. You must present proof of purchase to the  Certification Office, Black 228.

 

Bibliography:

Students will be directed to read articles that employ single-subject designs. These come primarily from the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Student-selected ABA articles can be found in, among other journals, the following:

Exceptional Children                                                                           

Journal of Learning Learning Disabilities Quarterly  

Reading Research Quarterly

Teaching Exceptional Children

Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis (JABA)

Click on chapter numbers below to download class notes.

1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11