Problem Solving Model

1. Problem Solving Model Grant Wood Area Education Agency

2. Problem Identification/Validation What is the problem?

3. Questions to be Answered • What is the current concern and/or the desired behavior? (operational definition) • What is the current level of performance in the targeted behavior? (baseline) • How does the current level of performance compare to expectations? (problem validation) • Is the gap between current performance and what is expected LARGE enough to consider intervention? (data, problem validation)

4. Step One: Operational Definition • Contexts for this process • Curriculum work – current state/desired state • IEP/IFSP – behavior of focus • Functional Behavior Assessment • I plan – with gen ed teacher • I plan - FIE

5. Operational Definition • Objective- the definition refers only to observable and measurable characteristics of the behavior • Clear- the definition is so explicit that it could be read, repeated, and paraphrased by others • Alterable- the behavior must be something that can be changed • Generalizable – be observed in more than one setting • NOT A GOAL STATEMENT

6. Operational Definition • An operational definition must be descriptive enough that two observers could independently observe the same behavioral episodes and obtain similar observational data • Stranger Test • So What Test

7. Operational Definition • Format- (Target behavior) means that (Student name) (Action verbs) Aggression means that Johnny kicks people or objects, hits others, and spits at others Answering “Wh” questions means Jane will verbally answer who, what, where, what-doing questions Reading Fluently means that Thomas will orally read 3rd grade Dibels text at a rate of 67-92 cwpm (25-50% ile, Fall)

8. Unclear Definition • Marco has inappropriate spacing in his writing. He doesn’t leave adequate spaces between the words. • Missy doesn’t follow basic concept directions.

9. Explicit Definition • Marco has inappropriate spacing in his writing. Inappropriate spacing means that Marco leaves spaces smaller than a popsicle stick in his writing. • Following basic concept directions means, when requested, Missy will physically respond within 5 seconds. Examples of requests could include quantity (more/less), time (night/day), position (under/over). Oper.Defs.[1].doc

10. Activity: Your Turn • Look at a sample Iowa I plan and supplemental plan. • For the supplemental and I plan, is the area of focus operationally defined? (generalizable, objective, alterable and clear) • Write an operational definition for the behavior of focus on the IEP.

11. Collect Baseline • Data should be collected BEFORE an intervention is implemented • Needs to include at least 3 data points (samples of the defined behavior) • Method of measurement chosen to collect the baseline will be the same method used to measure effectiveness of the intervention

12. Baseline • Baseline describes a student’s current level of performance in a target behavior/skill • Collected within a specific parameter of time (ex. one week) • It is compared to a standard, standard of comparison • It can be displayed on a chart

13. Collecting the Baseline Data • What is the student’s current level of performance in the area of focus? • Involves 3 steps • Establish relevant dimensions (FLITAD) • Develop measurement strategy • Collect data

14. Baseline:Dimensions of Behavior, FLITAD • Decide which of the 6 dimensions to use • Frequency • Latency • Intensity • Topography • Accuracy • Duration

16. Activity • Short video of student in early childhood settings • For the scenarios write an operational definition for one of the behaviors observed. • After the third scenario choose 1 operational definition and choose the dimension of behavior you would measure (FLITAD)

17. Mutual toy play Writing in a daily journal Kicking furniture Writing the letters of the alphabet Riding a bike Initiating social greetings Completing a sheet of division problems Temper tantrum Cursing Following directions Answering comprehension questions What Dimension Would You Use

18. Baseline: Choose a Measurement Strategy • Dimension that is most problematic is identified, determine how you will measure the behavior • Remember, the strategy used to measure during baseline same as during progress monitoring of the intervention • Needs to be: Feasible, Reliable, & Valid

19. Baseline:Measurement Strategy Plan • Includes - How the data will be collected - The materials that will be used to collect the data - Where the data will be collected - When the data will be collected - Who will be responsible for collecting the data

20. Baseline:Measurement Strategy Should…. • Match the dimension of the behavior • Be repeatable • Be systematic, reliable, and valid • Be time-efficient, simple to administer, and allow for regular and frequent data collection

21. Baseline Examples • Using DIBELS phoneme segmentation fluency, Paige currently scores a median of 0 correct phonemes in a one minute sample. • Given teacher’s oral directions in a whole class setting, Payton follow a median of 5% of these directions within 15 seconds during a 10 min sample.

22. Comparison to Peers or Standard 3 questions to be answered: • What is the typical or expected performance? • How do we define a significantly discrepant range for the skill? • Is the discrepancy large enough to warrant intervention?

23. The standard must be appropriate to the behavior and represent acceptable performance If direct peer comparison data is not available, other local standards might include: Local building or district norms Teacher/classroom expectations Criteria for the next environment School policy standards Instructional placement standards State or national norms Developmental Milestones Standards of Comparison

24. Cautions When Looking at Discrepancy • Use multiple sources of data • Compare to norms when available- classroom peers may be high achieving or low achieving (the larger the sample size, the more valid the data)

25. Problem ID/Problem Validation • Mistakes to Avoid • Definition of behavior is focused on an unimportant behavior – So What Test • Dimension of measurement is not clear • Multiple observers do not agree when the behavior occurs or does not occur • Standard for comparison is not related to the problem behavior • Discrepancy is minimal between student’s performance and expectation • Expectation is beyond what has been taught in core curriculum

26. Questions you have answered • What is the current concern and/or the desired behavior? (operational definition) • What is the current level of performance in the targeted behavior? (baseline) • How does the current level of performance compare to expectations? (problem validation) • Is the gap between current performance and what is expected LARGE enough to consider intervention? (data, problem validation)

27. Homework for Next Region Meeting • Bring an example of how you have identified a problem, operationally defined it, and validated it to the next meeting. • This might be an intensive, an IEP, an FBA, a curricular change, etc. It should be applicable to your context

28. Early Access/Early Childhood Emily Thomsen Sue Lavasseur Denise Toomey Lori Hilmer Robyn Robbins Anne Steffensmeier Julie Warrington Melissa Grennan Victoria Giard Kim Smith Kelli Robertson (Hillary Prall) Cultural Competency/ Disproportionality Katy Lee Tammy McSweeney Melinda Mohr Cheryl Mills Kelly Maggie Slaymaker Maureen Lough Regional Action Plan Committees

29. Regional Action Plan Committees • Transition • Debbie Mills • Lindsay Copp • Wendy Bouslog • Proficiency of special ed students • Jennifer Haefner • Pat Lussenhop • Ronda Hilbert • Mikki Graykowski • Tracy Petersen • Taresa Fetzer

30. Regional Action Plan Committees • Join a group if you did not sign up last meeting. • Briefly look over data and goals to be met • Generate possible learning targets for the region to address the problem. • Complete the region action plan template • Prepare to share out 2-3 action steps/ideas your group has.