Intervention Techniques

Focus on stopping the behavior after it gets started

It is important that inappropriate behavior is sanctioned. For example:

• Monitor student behavior and promptly apply negative consequences for misbehavior.
• Draw upon a wide array of intervention strategies when a difficult situation arises.
• Create a sense of fairness by matching your intervention to the severity of the offense.
• Apply consequences consistently.

When establishing consequences, i.e., interventions, think of them in a hierarchy from least intrusive to most severe. From clarification to a warning to a teacher/student conference to contacting the parent to referral. Develop a range of minor interventions to use without interrupting the instructional flow of the class. Use the lowest-level sanction possible that will correct the problem behavior. As the serioiusness escalates or repeats, move up the hierarchy or "ladder" of consequences.

Interventions will fall into one of the following categories: minor, moderate, and serious.

Minor Interventions	Moderate Interventions	Serious Interventions
Use nonverbal cues: eye contact, frown, gesture Move closer Direct a question Change activity/ eliminate downtime Redirect to task Issue brief desist/ warning Ask student to state the rule broken Change seat	Withhold privilege Assign a penalty Contact parent Assign after-school detention Write behavior contract	Send to  principal's office Arrange formal parent conference Refer to counselor/ psychologist Refer to alternate school setting Suspend student

• Print the Defining Consequences for Behavior Guide.