Preparing Teachers and Consultants for the Challenge of Severe Problem Behavior

Abstract

Student behavior and violence in schools has rapidly become an area of critical local and national concern in recent years. Teachers and schools are expected to cope with increasing student diversity along many dimensions, including cognitive and intellectual functioning, ethnic and linguistic background, and problem behaviors. School personnel will need expertise in effectively supporting teachers and other practitioners working with students with different labels and challenges (developmental disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders) and be able to work at multiple levels (classroom, school, community). This article describes the comprehensive behavior specialist (CBS) program, which is aimed at developing such expertise among teachers and other practitioners within school and community systems. The rationale, basic content, and organization of the program are described. Positive evaluation data are presented from two cohorts of school personnel who have experienced the program.