ing time, and higher degrees of academic engagement time.
Challenges Encountered in the 12:1:1 Classroom
Mastropieri (2001) reported that the special education teachers face multiple issues. For example not only are there typical school responsibilities, but the special education teacher faces the following additional problems: decisions regarding what to teach; time issues; challenges of working with a paraprofessional; paperwork and meetings; training, resources, and support issues; teacher preparation issues; parent communication problems; and issues with behavior management. Teachers describe behavioral challenges such as mentally retarded students leaving the room without permission or being verbally or physically challenging, and noncompliant behaviors.
Tidwell,áFlannery,áand Lewis-Palmerá(2003) presented a description of special education classroom discipline referral patterns found in the elementary school classroom. Tidwell, et al. noted that schools attempts to deal with classroom management problems by preventing problem behaviors. Aversive consequences such as suspension and expulsion are standard but ineffective methods of managing student behavior in traditional schools. These reactive methods increase problem behaviors rather than improve them. Schools therefore attempt to use practices that create and maintain positive and preventive learning environments. The curriculum is designed to address the behavioral as well as the academic needs of the students. Disruptive and dangerous behaviors are prevented with positive behavior support systems.
The Positive Behavior Support (PBS) is a system that combines behavioral science, social values, a systems perspective, and practical interventions. It is a three-tiered prevention model that focuses on the teaching of prevention methods in a universal way as the first level of intervention. The secondary level includes intensive interventions and the th...