SBLC teams and teachers can use this toolbox to determine the purpose or function of a behavior. For students with more persistent and intensive behaviors, function-based Tier III interventions are selected and implemented in a clear plan of action. Only 5% of students should need Tier III Support.

The development of Functional Behavior Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) is reserved for behaviors that have not responded to Tier I and Tier II levels of support. As a general rule, 80% of students should respond to Tier I strategies. If this ratio is much lower, a fidelity check for appropriate Tier I interventions should be conducted for that classroom setting.

The Behavior Toolbox is laid out in steps to follow in order:

• The first step towards improving challenging behavior is understanding the function of the behavior through FBA development.

• Second is development of a BIP:

  • Determining replacement behaviors that meet the student's needs

  • Preventing challenging behaviors by supporting the replacement behavior and making adjustments to avoid triggers of the challenging behavior

  • Teaching replacement skills to increase student success

  • Reinforcing the new replacement behavior and skills

  • Minimizing reinforcement of the challenging behavior

• And the third step is monitoring the plan effectiveness.