Sweetwater Union High School District

Behavior Support Team Professional Development

Overview

• Scheduling: Available on-demand by request (Date & Location TBD).

• Audience: Designed specifically for district teachers and school psychologists.

• Description: This workshop—developed by the Special Services Behavior Support Team at Sweetwater Union High School District—guides educators through designing, implementing, and monitoring effective Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) aligned with student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). 

• Framework & Philosophy: Rooted in PENT (Positive Environments, Network of Trainers) principles, emphasizing proactive multi-tiered behavior interventions and replacing "problem" terminology with "challenging" behavior.

Key Learning Objectives

• Determine BIP Necessity: Apply the Tiered Supports matrix to decide when a student needs simple behavior goals versus a formal, FBA-driven BIP (mandatory for safety risks or loss of instructional time).

• Define & Measure Behaviors: Draft observable, objective target behaviors passing the Stranger and Dead Man's tests, matching data collection methods directly to behavior types.

• Identify Function & Select FERBs: Determine the root function (To Get vs. To Avoid) and design a Functionally Equivalent Replacement Behavior (FERB) adhering to the Fair Pair rule.

• Modify Classroom Ecology: Adjust physical space, schedules, instructional delivery, social climate, and rules to prevent challenging behaviors.

• Manage Escalation & Instruction: Teach replacement skills during the calm phase and execute appropriate staff responses across all seven stages of the escalation cycle.

Contact Information

• To Request/Schedule: Contact your district school psychologist or the BeST team to set up a session date and location.

Want resources to train your own staff? Access our slide deck here.