Background Info

Empowering Educators for Student Success

Why does this matter to teachers and school leaders? Teachers are responsible for ensuring that students meet state-mandated academic expectations. In Texas, these expectations are outlined in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) — a comprehensive list of skills that students are expected to master throughout the school year. You can access these standards on the Texas Education Agency’s website.

Every student in your classroom brings unique learning characteristics, and some may face barriers that impact how they understand and process information. As educators at Sam Houston State University, our shared goal is to equip you with practical tools and strategies to support all learners, foster meaningful academic progress, and maintain positive, safe learning environments. Because you're at the frontlines of this transformation, your role has never been more critical.

Behavior Support in Special Education: A Legal and Practical Priority

For students who have disabilities and exhibit behavioral deficits which impede their abilities to learn and potentially hinder their inclusive education with peers their age who do not have disabilities, it’s imperative that they receive the supports and services necessary to ensure a free and appropriate education. The message is clear: to truly support our students and keep them learning in their least restrictive environment, we must be proactive, not reactive, in our behavior strategies and instructional interventions (Babino, 2022).

Since the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) have been legally mandated to assist educators with uncovering the "why" behind student behaviors and develop meaningful, supportive interventions. FBAs highlight the function of the behavior, and what is maintaining the behavior. This is done by analyzing the environment before, during, and after the behavior occurs. Once we understand what is causing the behavior we can alter the environment to promote student success. Educators will take these data and  develop the behavior intervention plan. This individualized plan is developed to address challenging behaviors that interfere with a student’s learning or the learning of others. It outlines strategies to prevent, reduce, or replace those behaviors.

When working with students on the autism spectrum, evidence-based practices (EBPs) are not just recommended…they’re essential. These data-driven strategies have verification of their impacts; demonstrating improved communication, social skills, behavior, and academic outcomes. By implementing EBPs, educators can confidently tailor instruction to meet the student’s needs while fostering meaningful progress. With the right tools and strategies, YOU can help students with autism thrive both in the classroom and beyond (Will et. al., 2018).

Trustworthy Behavioral Resources You Can Count On

In today’s digital world, educators are bombarded with countless websites, videos, and demonstrations claiming to teach behavioral principles. Unfortunately, many of these resources are inaccurate, outdated, or lack the scientific foundation needed to truly support students.

That’s why we’re committed to providing reliable, high-quality resources developed by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). Our goal is to ensure that the strategies you use in the classroom—whether behavioral interventions or instructional supports—are grounded in sound science and best practices. With accurate demonstrations and clear explanations, you can feel confident you’re implementing approaches that truly work.

Educators, you’re not just teaching—you’re shaping futures. We’re here to help you grow your educator toolkit with proven strategies that make a real difference