Teachers' Perceptions of Challenges to Implementing Positive Behavior Support Plans in Schools
Author | : Louis M. Chance |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 135 |
Release | : 2014 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:1319636119 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 (19 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: The purpose of this study was to identify the perceptions of teachers regarding challenges to implementing positive behavior support plans in schools and ways that administrators can better support teachers with behavior interventions. Forty-two regular education teachers and 16 special education teachers from a suburban school district in Pennsylvania completed surveys containing both Likert scale and open-ended questions. Additionally, 4 regular education teachers and 5 special education teachers took part in structured interviews which further explored teacher perspectives. Results indicated that regular education teachers view a shortage of time and a lack of adequate training as the 2 primary challenges to behavior plan implementation. Staff resistance and inconsistent expectations around behavior planning were also cited as associated barriers. Regular education teachers suggested that administrators could support teachers by providing time for teacher collaboration about student behavior, scheduling regular staff development opportunities related to positive behavior support, and communicating clear expectations concerning behavior intervention delivery. Special education teachers also identified time, teacher resistance, and staff development as primary challenges, while adding that a lack of resources for behavior planning also presents difficulties. They believed that administrators could better support by not only providing time and training, but also through increased direct involvement in behavior planning teams and more active advocacy for the importance of positive behavior support plans.