Behavior Supports and BIPs in Georgia
How do behavior supports work in a Georgia IEP?
Georgia provides behavioral supports for students with disabilities through a combination of federal IDEA requirements and state-specific programs and regulations. When a child's behavior impedes the child's learning or the learning of others, the IEP Team must consider the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports and other strategies to address that behavior (34 CFR §300.324(a)(2)(i); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.06). A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a systematic process for defining a child's specific behavior and determining the function or purpose of the behavior, including examination of antecedents, consequences, environmental components, and other contextual variables (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.21). The purpose of conducting an FBA is to determine whether a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) should be developed. A BIP developed from FBA data outlines positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports to address the identified behavior. Georgia operates the Georgia Network for Educational and Therapeutic Support (GNETS), consisting of 24 programs across the state serving students ages 5-21 with intense social, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.15). GNETS is a placement option within the continuum of alternative placements and requires that a current FBA and/or BIP be administered within the past year before a student can be considered for GNETS services. Georgia also promotes Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as a multi-tiered framework implemented statewide. PBIS provides a continuum of interventions and supports using a tiered prevention model. Under discipline provisions, when a student with a disability is removed from placement for more than 10 cumulative school days in a school year constituting a change of placement, the LEA must conduct an FBA (if not already done) and implement a BIP, or review and modify an existing BIP to address the behavior (34 CFR §300.530(d)(1)(ii); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.10). A Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) must be conducted within 10 school days of any decision to change placement due to discipline to determine if the behavior was caused by or had a direct and substantial relationship to the disability.
What Georgia Requires
When behavior impedes learning, the IEP Team must consider positive behavioral interventions and supports (34 CFR §300.324(a)(2)(i); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.06).
FBA is a systematic process for identifying behavior function including antecedents, consequences, and environmental variables (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.21).
BIP must be based on FBA data and include positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports.
GNETS provides 24 programs for students ages 5-21 with intense behavioral challenges; requires current FBA/BIP within the past year (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.15).
Georgia promotes PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) as a multi-tiered framework for all schools.
Disciplinary removals exceeding 10 cumulative school days constituting a change of placement require FBA and BIP implementation (34 CFR §300.530(d)(1)(ii)).
Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) required within 10 school days of any decision to change placement due to discipline (34 CFR §300.530(e)).
Students may be removed to an interim alternative educational setting for up to 45 school days for weapons, drugs, or serious bodily injury regardless of manifestation (34 CFR §300.530(g)).
Key Timelines
10 school days: maximum removal from placement before a change of placement may be triggered (34 CFR §300.530(b)).
10 school days: MDR must be conducted within 10 school days of any decision to change placement for disciplinary reasons (34 CFR §300.530(e)).
45 school days: maximum removal to interim alternative educational setting for weapons, drugs, or serious bodily injury (34 CFR §300.530(g)).
Within 1 year: current FBA/BIP required for consideration of GNETS placement (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.15).
FBA and BIP must be reviewed and revised as appropriate at each IEP annual review.