Behavior Supports and BIPs in Tennessee
How do behavior supports work in a Tennessee IEP?
Tennessee has detailed requirements for Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIP) codified in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.24. An FBA must be conducted by a group of at least three individuals knowledgeable about the student and must include systematic observation, antecedent analysis, review of educational and disciplinary records, and structured interviews. A BIP based on FBA results must include measurable replacement behavior goals, intervention strategies, and a progress monitoring plan. The IEP team must also consider positive behavioral interventions and supports under 0520-01-09-.12 when a student's behavior impedes learning. Specific triggers requiring an IEP team meeting within 10 days exist when restraint or isolation is used and the student's IEP does not already provide for it, or when an extended restraint or isolation occurs (0520-01-09-.23(7)-(8)). When a disciplinary removal constitutes a change of placement, a manifestation determination review must occur.
What Tennessee Requires
When a student's behavior impedes their learning or the learning of others, the IEP team must consider and address those needs through positive behavioral interventions, strategies, and supports (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.12; 34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i)).
An FBA must be conducted by a group of at least three (3) individuals knowledgeable about the student and must include systematic observation, antecedent analysis, review of records, and structured interviews (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.24(1),(5)).
A BIP based on FBA results must include the hypothesized function of behavior, measurable replacement behavior goals, intervention strategies, a progress monitoring plan, and a personnel training plan (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.24(7)).
An FBA shall be conducted when behavior results in a change of placement determined to be a manifestation of the disability, or when an IAES placement is imposed for weapons/drugs/serious bodily injury (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.24(3)).
When a disciplinary removal exceeds 10 school days, a manifestation determination must be conducted to determine whether the behavior was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to, the student's disability (34 CFR 300.530(e)).
Key Timelines
An FBA and BIP review must occur within 10 school days when behavior results in a disciplinary change of placement (34 CFR 300.530(d)(1)).
A manifestation determination review must occur within 10 school days of any decision to make a disciplinary change of placement (34 CFR 300.530(e)).
An IEP team meeting must be convened within 10 days of use of restraint if the IEP does not provide for it or an extended restraint is used (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.23(7)).
BIPs must be reviewed at least annually during the IEP team meeting and revised as needed (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.24(9)).