Association for Behavior Analysis International

The methods of ABA have served the field of education to produce socially significant improvements in behavior in public school settings. Despite the fact that providing free and appropriate education to children with disabilities has been a public responsibility since 1975 (PL 94-142, IDEA, 2004), multiple barriers interfere with the adoption of evidence-based practices in public school systems. Reluctance by public school personnel to adopt ABA-based practices, create opportunities for current and future behavior analysts to function as behavior change agents. This panel discussion will focus on some of the current challenges behavior analysts face in two large public school districts and importantly, provide potential solutions focused on the training and retention of school-based behavior analysts. The targeted audience for this panel discussion are those currently working in public school settings or those teaching future behavior analysts who may work in the public school setting. Identifying and discussing barriers to implement behavior change as well as possible solutions provides the field a basis to address wellness strategies and ensure behavior analysts are effective in supporting public schools.