4 Essential Components of Behavior Support in the Classroom

Diane Myers, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Special Education – Behavior, March 22, 2022 — Expectations that are clearly established, and reinforced regularly will contribute to a consistent, positive experience for students.

The 2021-2022 school year began full of promise. Students, families, and educators were ready to get back to pre-pandemic learning routines. Almost no one was prepared for how the landscape had changed – many educators had left the profession, staffing needs were at an all-time high, and students were engaging in more frequent and more severe challenging behaviors.

The disruption wreaked by Covid dramatically impacted our students, especially those who were at-risk or experiencing behavior challenges prior to the pandemic. School leadership often struggled to meet the training needs of their staff–many of whom were brand new–especially needs related to behavior support.

The influx of staffing issues coupled with the uptick in challenging behaviors highlights the need for dedicated, integrated behavior support systems that are proactive, responsive to students’ individual needs, and grounded in evidence-based practices proven to increase prosocial behaviors.

Key Components of Effective Behavior Support

1. Clearly Establishing and Defining Expectations

Positive behavioral support models begin with identifying three to five broad expectations (e.g., “Be Safe,” “Be Respectful,” “Be Responsible”). These are operationally defined for different school routines, with positively communicated behaviors like “keep hands and feet to yourself” instead of “don’t run.”

2. Teaching and Prompting Expected Behaviors

Teaching social behaviors mirrors academic instruction: use modeling, practice, and feedback. Booster sessions are provided as needed, and prompts are delivered before behaviors are expected (e.g., “remember to walk in the hallway” before transitions).

3. Reinforcing Positive Behaviors

Acknowledging students’ appropriate behavior is critical. Behavioral science emphasizes reinforcement, and behavior-specific praise (e.g., “Great job walking in the hallway”) builds the connection between behavior and positive outcomes. Additional reinforcement methods, such as token economies, may also be used.

4. Responding to Behavioral Errors

When students make errors, staff should provide feedback, reminders, and opportunities to try again. Restorative conversations and tasks can help students reflect and repair harm while learning alternative strategies.
During uncertain times, a foundation of evidence-based practices and clear, reinforced expectations can contribute to a positive and consistent educational environment, benefiting both students and staff.

About Specialized Education Services, Inc.

Specialized Education Services, Inc. (SESI), a division of FullBloom, is a premier provider of education services for K-12 students who face challenges that prevent them from being successful in a traditional classroom. SESI partners with school districts to run in-district classrooms and stand-alone schools that meet the academic, behavioral, social, and emotional needs of special and alternative education students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Learning, Emotional, and other disabilities. SESI serves over 3,000 students through more than 50 day schools and 80+ in-district classrooms and partners with over 500 school districts. SESI is accredited by Cognia. Learn more: www.sesischools.com.

Press Contact

Jennifer Leckstrom
RoseComm for SESI
(215) 681-0770
jleckstrom@rosecomm.com
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