Action Research

Name:

Statement of Focus

Answer the following questions honestly. No one will read your responses. Doing so will contribute to an effective area of focus.

1. What area of ESE or Education do you feel YOU can change or improve? Please think of this in light of your proposed action research focus this term.

We can change the off-task behaviors of two clients with special needs by reducing them and increasing the clients’ compliance with non-preferred demands and activities.

2. Why is this change particularly meaningful to YOU as an educator?

That change is particularly meaningful to us as behavior therapists and future educators because clients’ off-task behaviors reduces possibilities of learning, independence, acquisition of skills, and has a negative social impact.

3. What do other educators or professionals tell you when YOU discuss this topic with them?

Other behavior analysts tell us that the off-task behavior is a maladaptive behavior commonly showed by students with special needs. They indicate that this behavior limits the opportunities of students to learn and become independent performing his Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and reach academic’s progress to be placed at school in the least restrictive environment. They indicate that as behavior therapists we can change those behaviors, and therefore provide the students with more opportunities to learn and achieve his academic goals.

4. How is the desired outcome a part of YOUR educational philosophy?

As behavior therapists and future educators, we advocate for the inclusion of students with special needs in society. Changing off-task behaviors, we provide them the opportunity to have a place in school and society.

5. Describe the situation with your student/group of students that you want to change by implicitly focusing on: (What is the problem you would like to improve)

Who? What? When? Where? How?

Who? We want to change a specific maladaptive behavior showed by a student with special needs.

What? We want to change specifically the off-task behaviors showed by a student with special needs.

When? The change is projected to be accomplished within 6 months.

Where? We expect that the off-task behavior will decrease in all settings in which the students interacts: home, school, and community.

How? We will implement antecedent and consequence strategies and interventions to reduce the off-task behaviors of the students. Also, we will teach replacement skills (e.g. time on task, request for assistance or attention) and the students will acquire desired behaviors and reduce the off-task behaviors.