Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Applied Behavioral Analysis MS

Major

Psychology

Date of Defense

4-30-2024

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Danielle M. Pizzella

Committee

Dr. Andresa De Souza

Dr. Karl Schoenherr

Katie Breneman

Abstract

When working with individuals with a variety of abilities and disabilities, data collection becomes arguably the most important tool in ensuring student success and growth. To put trust in collected data, both data reliability and treatment integrity must be considered. When one individual is taking all data required for a specific individual, reliability and integrity can be simpler to ensure (Vollmer et al., 2008). However, in many special education classrooms across the country, paraprofessionals are asked to perform many of the same data collection tasks as certified educators; a role which, as in many of the roles they serve within the school environment, they receive limited training in how to perform. Furthermore, the teachers who support them are often not prepared to continue to offer training and support (Brock & Carter, 2015; Fisher & Pleasants, 2012; Mason et al., 2021). The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of behavioral skills training to improve data collection skills in paraprofessionals.

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