OSERS and OESE Offer Joint Guidance for Use of FBAs
The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) have jointly released guidance on the use of functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) for all students whose behavior interferes with learning.
Briefly stated, FBA is a method used to determine the causes or influences behind a student's behavior. This approach uses evidence-based practices designed to support students. It aligns with activities permitted under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), both of which emphasize the importance of collaboration in providing support.
FBAs have traditionally been used to support students with disabilities. However, their use has evolved to include students with or without services from an individualized education program (IEP).