Behavior Analysis and IDEA reauthorization (fwd)

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Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 13:20:15 -0400 (EDT)

From: ph Cautilli <jcautill@...>

VerbalBehavior , ABA-Pro <ABA-PRO@...>

Cc: BEHAVIOR2000@..., Verbalbeh@...,

ABATherapists , abaparents ,

autismaba

Subject: Behavior Analysis and IDEA reauthorization

Most of us would agree that Behavior Analysis has had unparalleled success

in changing children's behavior problems and creating learning

opportunities which if applied broadly would produce lasting benifit to

many in the public school system today.

Given Behavior Analysis direct and indirect contributionsto instruction

for children with regular education and special education children, as

well as Behavior Analysis contribution to socialization of children and

reduction in violent and aggeressive behavior, we as behavior analyst and

those seeking imrpovement in the school system need to suggest that

behavior analysis is as seperate from school psychology, school

counseling, and school social work as each of these disciplines are from

each other. We need to suggest that just as regulations exist for how many

school psychologists or school counselors exist per 1,000 children, so

must regulations exist for behavior analysts. I propose that each and

every person on the lists that I have addressed, sugest with the

reauthorization of IDEA, that one behavior analyst be hired by the school

system/1,000 children. We should define the role of the behavior analyst

as an expert in classroom mangement, school-wide ebhaviro change

procedures, behavioral assessment including functional behavior

analysis, an expert on curriculum design such as direct instruction, and

child evaluation with methods as curriculum based measurment/assessment.

We should suggest that the position be require a masters in behavior

analysis plus thirty credits and certification. I believe that this will

go along way toward changing the current problems in the school system

today. Some places to send our points would be:

RESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON EXCELLENCE IN SPECIAL EDUCATION REPORT:

at http://www.ed.gov/inits/commissionsboards/whspecialeducation/reports.html

> OSERS: Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

Comments should be addressed to Irvin at OSERS,

U.S. Department

of Education. There have been problems with surface mail, so

comments can best be sent over the Internet to comments@... or by fax

to 202-260-0416. If you need to use surface mail, the address is: 400

land Avenue SW, E. Switzer Building, Room 3086, Washington, DC

20202.

It is only by taking the time to write and to enlist the aide of others to

write can we bring about permant change to improving the public school

system.

Joe

P.S. Please pass to others that may be helpful in these efforts.