The Predictive Validity of a Concurrent Operants Choice Assessment

The Concurrent Operants Assessment (COA) is a procedure that can be used to develop treatment plans for students exhibiting challenging behavior in the classroom. The COA involves using choice to identify a student's preferred class of reinforcement, which can then be used to motivate increases in appropriate behavior and academic responding. Historically, functional behavior assessments (FBAs) have been the most common methodology used in schools to inform behavioral treatment planning. However, the functional class of reinforcer identified by the FBA as maintaining challenging behavior may not be the most effective at increasing appropriate behavior (e.g. academic performance). The COA can help fill this gap by directly investigating how a student will respond to operant contingencies. This study investigated if the results of a concurrent operants assessment could be used to increase student academic performance, and if those results would be stable over time. Support for the hypothesis that the COA would result in a preferred class of reinforcer was found, while support for the stability of the class of reinforcer in improving academic performance and reducing challenging behavior was partially supported. Results and implications are discussed.