Behave Assmnt, Mgmt & Change (EDS 743)

Course Overview

👋Welcome to Behavioral Assessment, Management, and Change (EDS 743). This semester we will examine theories and techniques for managing the behavior of students with disabilities and for promoting development of positive social interaction skills. Specific applications of a variety of techniques for behavior management across home, school, and community settings with an emphasis on collaboration. 

Over the next 15 weeks we will embark on a guided learning experience that is divided into two phases: 

Phase I: Knowledge Acquisition (Jan. 30 - April 3)

Phase II: Collaborate & Create (April 10 - May 15)

Session Resources

Phase I: Asynchronous (No Live Zoom Meeting)

Below you will find our course Nearpod Lesson Library, which is comprised of 9 pre-made lessons, videos, and activities - one for each session during Phase I of the course. As opposed to meeting as a whole group via Zoom, these weekly Nearpod lessons allow you to join and engage in an interactive learning experience (i.e., lectures, readings, and lesson activities) at different times and can complete the lesson activities at your own pace on your own time. 

Please find below the instructions for accessing, completing, and submitting each week's lesson activities - along with the 5-letter CODE to join each week's Nearpod lesson. All session materials will be hyperlinked below at the start of each class session.

Join a Nearpod Lesson:

• Session 1: Course overview & Introductions (Jan. 30)

Join Code: 4XFDG

• Session 2: Introduction to Functional Behavior Analysis and Assessment (Feb. 6)

Join Code: X7PIW

• Session 3: Schoolwide Strategies for Increasing Positive Behavior Supports (Feb. 13)

Join Code: B7EDW

Dive deeper into this topic by exploring the Statement on Positive Behavior Guidance from the NYC Department of Education, Division of Early Childhood Education (2021). This resource highlights developmentally appropriate strategies that foster a supportive, inclusive learning environment through proactive and restorative approaches—principles that would be valuable if expanded to support students across all grade levels.

• Session 4: Understanding Trauma and Behavior Problems (Feb. 20)

Join Code: HBYDG

• Session 5: Social-Emotional Learning (Feb. 27)

Join Code: GDMZV

Are you looking for effective alternatives to punitive discipline that align with the principles of social-emotional learning (SEL)? Join Zach Hess and Donna Trujillo for Part 2 of the Restorative Practices: Tier 2 Support training on March 11, 2025, at 6:00 PM (EST) to deepen your understanding of youth brain development, the impact of trauma, and why traditional discipline often falls short. Building on today’s learning about SEL, this session will explore how Restorative Discipline fosters accountability, strengthens relationships, and equips students with lifelong conflict-resolution skills.

March 6: Lehman College classes follow a Wednesday schedule (No Class Session)

• Session 6:  "There's an app for that": Technology Tools for Classroom Management (March 13)

Join Code: TQLP9

• Behavior Support (formerly Kickboard): Educators can track and reinforce behaviors like teamwork, perseverance, disruption, and off-task in this mobile app—the family portal allows parents to get a detailed picture of their child’s daily activity. 
• Too Noisy: This app displays a noise meter on a digital whiteboard to help students realize when they need to change volume levels.  
• Seating Chart Maker: Create and print automatic or differentiated seating charts in minutes. 
• Class123: Class123 houses a timer, seating charts, random student selectors, a chalk board, and mechanisms for keeping records and giving positive motivation to students.
• ClassMax: Teachers can track standards-based practice on Marzano scales, record positive and negative behaviors (along with consequences), track student accommodations, and manage hall passes. 
• Class Dojo: Over 95% of U.S. schools use this app to engage students and connect with families. Teachers encourage students to demonstrate specific skills or values, students can create digital portfolios, and parents can visualize their children’s learning. 
• Classcraft: Aligned with SEL, PBIS, MTSS and behavioral RTI initiatives, Classcraft allows teachers to reward students for doing the right thing, demonstrating growth mindset, staying on task, helping others, and more. Essentially, it helps motivate students to be invested in their own learning, as well as their classmates’ learning. 
• Class Charts: With Class Charts, educators can create instant seating plans for differentiation or classroom management, view behavior analytics, and motivate students with behavior points. 
• Bloomz: Bloomz allows teachers to share class updates, manage events, schedule conferences with parents, sign up volunteers, and talk with families (all without sharing their personal cell phone number). 

To strengthen your research acumen (and for your reading pleasure!), check out a recent study on the effects of the use of a classroom management app on disruptive and on-task classroom behaviors for students with emotional and behavioral disorders.

• Session 7: Prevention of Challenging Behavior Through Effective Use of Scheduling, Climate, Classroom Planning, and Environmental Design & Organization (March 20)

Join Code: KBP3S

Explore this topic further and learn how platforms like GoFundMe can help fund classroom transformations.

• Session 8: Executive Function & Self-Regulation Skills (March 27)

Join Code: DES4P

• Session 9: Developing a Classroom Management Plan & Effective Lesson Planning as a Classroom Management Tool (April 3)

Join Code: NIJBV

Does your classroom behavior management plan align with high-level practices (HLP) in special education? Learn more about how the implementation of HLPs can improve behavioral outcomes for students with disabilities in your classroom.

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Phases II: Synchronous (Live Zoom Meeting)

Starting on Thursday, April 10, class sessions will be conducted through Zoom and will begin promptly at 4:00 PM (EST) every week on Monday, until May 15, 2024.

• Session 10: Diversity in the Classroom + Assessing Behavior Through Observation & Charting (April 10)

  • • PPT Presentation (4/10); Case Study video; ABC Behavior Observation chart; Independent Reading and Reflection articles: 

      • • Article 1: But That's Just Good Teaching! The Case for Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Strategies (Gloria Ladson-Billings, 1995)

        • Article 2: Tear Down Your Behavior Chart (Jung & Smith, 2018)

        • Article 3: Avoiding Implicit Bias in Classroom Observations (Solender)

April 12-20: Spring Recess (No Classes, College Closed)

• Session 11: Workshop Time for Assignment 1 - Functional Behavior Assessment & Report (April 24)

  • • PPT Presentation (4/24); YouGov article; "What is a Functional Behavior Assessment?" video; Guided Practice lesson recording; ABC Behavior Observation chart 

• Session 12: Workshop Time for Assignment 2 - Analyzing, Interpreting, Reporting, and Reflecting on Education Research (May 1)

  • • PPT Presentation (5/1); The Social CTV video clip; "How to read a journal article in 10 minutes or less" video; Lehman Library One Search Database; research article 

• Session 13: Workshop Time for Assignment 2 - OPTIONAL Zoom or Phone Meeting with Accountability Partner (May 8)

  • • Accountability Partner Check-Ins: Icebreakers & Sample Session Structure

• Session 14: Presentation of Assignment 2 - Analyzing, Interpreting, Reporting, and Reflecting on Education Research +
  Complete Final Course Self-Evaluation (May 15)

  • • PPT Presentation (5/15); Final Course Self-Evaluation