The Problems with the Manage-and-Discipline Approach to PBiS

Every year I can tell how well teachers and administrators think that their school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (SWPBiS/PBiS) systems are working because there is a massive uptick in my readership stats for behavioral management related posts and, in particular, those outlining my perspective that PBiS is a failed model and in desperate need … More The Problems with the Manage-and-Discipline Approach to PBiS

One Size Does Not Fit All in Special Education: Lessons from Procrustes

This is an abbreviated version of the story of Procrustes the Stretched and Theseus from here (emphasis mine). Theseus went on his way again. After a few miles, it got dark. Theseus saw a large house up ahead of him. He decided to ask the owner for a bed for the night, so he walked … More One Size Does Not Fit All in Special Education: Lessons from Procrustes

External Incentives DECREASE Intrinsic Motivation: Implications for Classroom Management

This blog post is another in a relatively long string of posts describing why I do not feel reward or incentive-based management systems are appropriate models for school-wide behavioral management (previous posts here). Up until now, I have been addressing the issue from an educational perspective with a particular focus on how rewards can turn … More External Incentives DECREASE Intrinsic Motivation: Implications for Classroom Management

Why ABA is not Effective: A Behavior Analysis Perspective

A Theoretical Aside I have repeatedly mentioned here on this blog that I am not a fan of Applied Behavioral Analysis (link). I have stated that I hold these objections for various reasons: I consider ABA to be compliance training and I have grave concerns regarding the long-term consequences of teaching disabled youth that compliance … More Why ABA is not Effective: A Behavior Analysis Perspective