Students that exhibit challenging behavior typically have a reason for doing so. Teachers perform a series of formal and informal assessments to deduce the function of challenging behavior in order to provide proper support and intervention. There are two types of informal assessments-direct observations and interviews.
Direct observations allow teachers to “record observations on a simple chart with the days of the week across the top and the times of the day along the side” (Kaiser & Rasminsky, 2012, sec. 10.1). They also allow teachers to observe the child’s mannerisms and behaviors in various school day situations over an extended period of time. Direct observations will assist teachers in identifying which environments and classroom situations trigger the student’s challenging behavior.
Interviews allow teachers to discover more about the student through conversing with key members of the student’s life (parents, caregivers and community members) to collect data on the challenging behavior. Interviews also provide teachers with third party information about the student’s mannerisms and behaviors outside of the classroom setting.
Two types of formal assessments are behavior rating scales and an Functional Behavioral Analysis. Behavior rating scales are formal assessments that “are often used as screening devices to obtain information on and help to identify individuals who may be at risk for developing more serious problem and who may benefit from early interventions” (Walrath, 2011).
A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) “is used to determine the function of the behavior and the factors that maintain it” (The IRIS Center, n.d.). Preforming the FBA, informal and formal assessments “helps teachers to understand the reason(s) for a student’s behavior and then [how] to use this information to design an intervention” (The IRIS Center, n.d.). The collection of data through various assessment methods is important because it provides well rounded information that is not biased to one particular setting or situation. Ultimately, the information collected from these observations will assist the teacher in developing proper interventions and instructional strategies to provide an effective learning environment for all students.
Practical Application
Informal observations can and should be performed on a daily basis. Informal observations can be collected on post-it notes, within a journal or compiled into a word document. These informal observations can include peer-to-peer interactions, development progress, notice behavior, etc. When conducting an interview with a student, ensuring to document that conversation will help to assess the student’s needs upon analyzing the collected data.
Developing a person relationship with each student will help with the observations effectiveness in understand the student’s developmental needs. The student will develop a trusting relationship with the teacher and feel comfortable expressing any concerns or problems they may have. Soliciting parent involvement will also help to determine the needs of each student. Organizing events within the classroom that parents can attend, encouraging an open door policy where parents can converse and express concerns and maintaining open communication with parents will help to assess any behavior concerns and needs they may have with their child.
Additionally assessments provide an analysis of the teacher’s abilities. Over an extended period of time, a student’s developmental and academic progress is measured through these observations. With a longitudinal analysis of all student’s progress and development within the classroom reflect concern or exceptionalism, then the teacher is able to gauge the effectiveness of the instructional methods being employed.
Creating a file for each student that houses all observations both formal and informal, conversations and completed work, will assist in providing support towards points made during parent-teacher conferences. It will also provide an accurate snapshot of the student’s achievement and development.
Classroom Management Plan 