Why Collaboration is the Key to Our Success (And How You Can Join Us)
The holiday season brings excitement, special events, and many changes to typical school routines. While these shifts can be energizing, they can also disrupt the structure that many students—especially those with behavioral or emotional needs—rely on. Increased unpredictability can contribute to stress, dysregulation, and more frequent challenging behaviors.
This time of year offers a natural moment to reflect on our behavioral supports and the systems we rely on to help students thrive. One powerful strategy is to leverage collaboration—not only with outside experts but also with interns in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) completing supervised practicum experiences. These partnerships strengthen school capacity, improve Tier 3 supports, enhance MTSS teaming, and ultimately lead to better student outcomes.
“One powerful strategy is to leverage collaboration—not only with outside experts but also with interns in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) completing supervised practicum experiences. ”
Strengthening Student Support Through Collaboration
Supporting students with behavioral needs is a complex, collaborative effort. Collaborating with behavior analysts and ABA interns allows schools to conduct FBAs with greater depth and accuracy. When schools partner with professionals trained in behavioral assessment and intervention, they gain access to specialized knowledge, structured analytical approaches, and additional hands-on support. ABA interns, who work under professional guidance, provide meaningful assistance by supporting data collection and analysis and participating in team discussions. This collaborative approach enriches the assessment process and helps create a clearer understanding of students’ behavioral needs in order to align function-based interventions.
Key Benefits of Partnerships
Brings a wide range of perspectives to complex behavior patterns
Additional support from ABA interns under professional guidance
Stronger confidence in identifying the true function of behavior
Expanded capacity to lessen the school/district’s FBA load
Strengthening FBA Processes Through Collaboration
Outside experts and ABA interns significantly improve the accuracy and depth of Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs). Interns working under the guidance of licensed professionals bring advanced training in identifying behavior patterns, analyzing triggers, and determining the function of behavior. This creates a more comprehensive understanding of student needs. With stronger assessments as the foundation, Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) become more targeted, practical, and aligned with data-informed strategies. Through collaborative teaming, functionally aligned intervention recommendations reflect the realities of the school environment and are more likely to be implemented consistently and effectively.
Key Enhancements
Better identification of behavioral triggers and maintaining consequences
More precise explanations of target behaviors
Stronger hypotheses about behavioral function
Practical intervention recommendations tailored to school contexts
More effective, functionally-aligned intervention recommendations
Enhancing MTSS Systems and Tier 3 Supports
High-quality FBAs are essential to strong Tier 3 supports. Collaboration with interns improves MTSS teaming by increasing analytical capacity, refining data discussions, and supporting more efficient problem-solving. Through collaborative assessment work, MTSS teams benefit from clearer interpretations of behavioral patterns, more accurate identification of student needs, and improved ability to align supports with the function of behavior. Ultimately, these improvements result in stronger student outcomes across behavioral, academic, and social domains.
Improvements Within MTSS
Strengthened Tier 3 intervention design
More effective data interpretation and decision-making
Better alignment of supports across environments
Enhanced Communication and Collaboration Across the Wider School Network
Collaborative FBAs strengthen communication among teachers, administrators, families, and behavior specialists. Bringing all viewpoints together ensures the assessment reflects each stakeholder’s experiences and observations. This shared process fosters transparency and a more complete understanding of student behavior. Teams are more likely to agree on next steps and remain consistent in how they support students when they begin with a shared understanding of the assessment.
Collaborative Advantages
Increased trust and transparency among team members
Incorporation of multiple perspectives in the assessment process
Shared understanding of student needs
More coordinated and aligned next steps after the FBA
Expanding School Capacity Through Cost-Effective Assessment Support
Partnering with ABA interns offers schools a cost-effective way to expand support services without significantly increasing staffing expenses. Interns provide valuable assistance with data collection, intervention development, and progress monitoring procedures, all while being supervised and guided by trained professionals. Their involvement allows schools to benefit from high-quality behavioral expertise at a fraction of the cost of hiring additional specialists. At the same time, school staff gain valuable professional learning as they work alongside interns to analyze data, interpret behavioral patterns, and deepen their understanding of behavioral science and effective intervention recommendations.
Capacity-Building Benefits
Cost-effective expansion of FBA support
Increased efficiency in conducting and completing assessments
Real-time professional development for staff
Strengthened long-term internal behavioral assessment expertise
Benefits for ABA Interns: Real-World Skill Development
Collaborating with school teams provides ABA interns with invaluable training opportunities in naturalistic settings. Interns gain experience conducting assessments, analyzing data across a wide range of behaviors, and developing intervention recommendations in contexts that require thoughtful collaboration and creativity. Engaging with teachers, administrators, families, and MTSS teams strengthens their communication and teamwork skills—essential competencies for future Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). Participating in FBA and BIP development within a school also helps interns understand how to design recommendations that are feasible, meaningful, and aligned with educational priorities, ultimately preparing them to be effective practitioners in school-based roles.
Intern Development Opportunities
Hands-on experience in school-based behavior assessment
Practice working within MTSS and interdisciplinary teams
Skill development in creating meaningful FBAs and feasible recommendations for BIPs
Increased confidence in collaborating with professionals from different backgrounds
Better Outcomes for Students
High-quality, collaborative FBAs lead to stronger student outcomes. When assessments are thorough and accurate, schools can better understand the root causes of behavior, leading to more effective decision-making and more appropriate interventions. These supports also foster more positive interactions with peers and adults, creating a school environment where students feel safe, connected, and included. Over time, this leads to better academic outcomes and stronger social development. Whether during the holiday season or at any point in the year, effective collaboration helps ensure that students with behavioral needs receive the support necessary to succeed.
Student Success Outcomes
Improved emotional and behavioral regulation
Increased time engaged in learning
More positive peer and adult interactions
Stronger engagement and overall school success
“When assessments are thorough and accurate, schools can better understand the root causes of behavior, leading to more effective decision-making and more appropriate interventions.”
As schools navigate the excitement and unpredictability of the holiday season—and beyond—collaboration becomes one of the most powerful tools we have. Partnering with outside experts and ABA interns strengthens behavior supports, enhances MTSS systems, and builds school-wide capacity.
These partnerships offer a win-win: Schools gain cost-effective, high-quality support, and ABA interns receive invaluable hands-on training that prepares them to be thoughtful, collaborative behavior analysts.
Most importantly, by working together, schools create more welcoming, predictable, and supportive environments—ensuring all students receive the thoughtful, consistent support they need to thrive no matter the season.
“Schools gain cost-effective, high-quality support, and ABA interns receive invaluable hands-on training that prepares them to be thoughtful, collaborative behavior analysts.”
How You Can Join Us
Schools and students working toward their BCBA who are interested in expanding their capacity can get involved through The Navigators Program at Threshold Learning. Schools and districts can schedule a meeting to discuss their needs, explore how collaborative partnerships can lessen their FBA and BIP workload, and learn how Navigators can strengthen MTSS and Tier 3 supports. Students completing fieldwork toward BCBA certification are also invited to apply to become program interns, gaining expert guidance and hands-on experience while contributing meaningful support to school teams. By joining The Navigators Program, both schools and interns can participate in a partnership that enhances services, builds capacity, and improves student outcomes.
