Association for Behavior Analysis International

Classrooms worldwide report difficulties with implementing systematic, manageable approaches to creating effective educational environments. The Pyramid Approach to Education (Bondy, 2011) provides a systematic and manageable framework for creating effective environments using elements of applied behavior analysis. This model and it's systematic and functional approach have achieved worldwide appeal while achieving meaningful outcomes for learners. Structural elements of the Pyramid target the creation of functional activities, use of powerful reinforcement systems, teaching a range of critical communication skills, and the functional assessment of contextually inappropriate behavior. Instructional elements include planning for generalization, matching each skill to a lesson format, carefully choosing teaching and error correction strategies. Data collection and most importantly, analysis are central to the overall functioning of a Pyramid Classroom. A key distinction from other approaches involving the application of applied behavior analysis is that classroom teachers and all other support staff are empowered to teach - within the parameters of good science, but it is not a "one size" fits all approach. Teaching staff are involved in the decision making process and lesson development for all students with an emphasis on individual needs while maintaining both group and individual learning. This symposium will present an overview and implementation from several perspectives. Data will be presented from a school program where several classrooms have achieved Pyramid Certified Classroom Status. Within that program, leadership teams have been created to foster the maintenance of implementation. Programs in a variety of countries using the Pyramid Approach to Education will be described and attendant results discussed.

Members of multi-disciplinary teams including teachers, speech-language pathologists, behavior analysts. Anyone who actively participates in the supervision and direct service delivery required to set up and maintain classrooms.

Pyramid Educational Consultants has offices in 14 countries with nearly 40 Pyramid Consultants who provide both training and consultation services. All training and consultation involves a description of or direct application of The Pyramid Approach to Education, a systematic framework for designing effective educational environments. One example of the direct application of the Pyramid Approach is a Pyramid Certified Classroom, a process that involves training and consultative guidance on implementing the nine elements of the Pyramid Approach to Education. The Pyramid elements are implemented in a specific sequence as the sequence is an essential component of this approach. Upon successful demonstration of the items listed on the Pyramid Classroom Checklist in one element, consultation begins in the next. Throughout this process teams design/build their own effective environment, one is not prescribed. This consultation and certification approach has been successfully implemented in classrooms worldwide. How teams across the globe implement the Pyramid Approach as well as the similarities and differences will be highlighted in this presentation.