Behavior Supports and BIPs in Alabama
How do behavior supports work in a Alabama IEP?
Alabama requires that when a child's behavior impedes their learning or that of others, the IEP team must consider — and where appropriate include — positive behavioral interventions and supports, and other strategies to address the behavior (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.05; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)). The regular education teacher, as an IEP team member, must participate in identifying appropriate positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports. Alabama requires Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) to identify the function of interfering behaviors before designing interventions; the FBA process is treated as an evaluation requiring all evaluation safeguards. A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is considered part of the IEP when included, and the FBA data informs present levels, goals, services, and accommodations. Alabama has specific ALSDE guidance documents on developing FBAs and BIPs. When a student with a disability is subjected to a disciplinary change in placement, an FBA must be conducted if not already in place, and a BIP must be implemented or reviewed (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.09).
What Alabama Requires
When behavior impedes learning of the child or others, the IEP team must consider positive behavioral interventions, supports, and other strategies and include them in the IEP as appropriate (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.05; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)).
A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is an evaluation process subject to all evaluation procedural safeguards; it identifies the function of interfering behavior before designing interventions (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.02; ALSDE FBA/BIP Guidance 2020).
A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a legal document that becomes part of the IEP when included; it must be based on FBA data and address the interfering behavior at its functional root (ALSDE FBA/BIP Guidance 2020).
When a disciplinary change of placement occurs, if no FBA has been conducted, one must be conducted and a BIP implemented or reviewed (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.09; 34 CFR 300.530(d)(1)).
The regular education teacher member of the IEP team must participate in identifying appropriate behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports for the student (34 CFR 300.324(a)(1)(iv)).
Alabama's Positive Behavior Support Initiative (Alabama PBIS) provides a statewide framework for schools to implement multi-tiered behavioral supports (Alabama PBIS).
Key Timelines
When a disciplinary change of placement exceeds 10 school days, FBA and BIP must be addressed within 10 school days of the decision to change placement (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.09).
BIPs must be reviewed at each annual IEP review and when student behavioral data indicates insufficient progress (34 CFR 300.324(b)).