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Chester County board approves districtwide Registered Behavior Technician role to address disciplinary disproportionality
Summary
The board approved creating a districtwide Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) to implement behavior intervention plans under a contracted BCBA after the state found disciplinary disproportionality; funding will include a partial transfer of IDEA Part B funds and purchases of two software tools.
The Chester County Board of Education approved a new districtwide Registered Behavior Technician position intended to reduce disciplinary disproportionality and support teachers in implementing behavior intervention plans.
Miss Parker told the board the state identified the district as “significantly disproportionate for students with disabilities in the discipline area,” requiring the district to transfer a percentage of federal IDEA Part B funds into general-purpose funds to address disciplinary outcomes. She said the RBT will work under a contracted board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) who will conduct functional behavior assessments and create behavior intervention plans the RBT will train staff to implement.
District leaders said the funding will also pay for two software tools: a student-facing intervention program with age-appropriate video instruction and a database for strategies and interventions. The district will be required to keep detailed discipline data moving forward to monitor whether interventions reduce in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension and alternative placements.
Board members asked whether the RBT will be a permanent position and where the person would be based; the district said the role will likely be filled on a year-to-year basis and will “float” between campuses, supporting multiple schools with ISS/alternative programs. The board noted the RBT requires a certification beyond a paraprofessional’s training, including a 40-hour core course and testing before implementing plans.
A motion to approve the recommendation was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
The board did not discuss a specific salary figure in the motion. The district said contracting for BCBA services remains under review; the BCBA contract was received for internal review the day of the meeting.
