Behavioral Observation of Students in School (BOSS)

Melanie Bagnola SWK 664 Item of Interest #1 October 11, 2017
The item of interest that I chose is the Behavioral Observation of Students in Schools (BOSS). This is a direct observation program that assists in learning more about a student’s behavior while in the classroom. The BOSS is able confirm or deny any reports of problems, to provide information on the severity of the student’s problem, and provide baseline data. The BOSS measures three main areas, which are the student’s engaged (on-task) behaviors, non- engaged (off-task) behaviors, and the teacher’s directed instruction. These areas are measured during a 30-minute observation time. The social worker goes in to the classroom and records the student’s behavior in 15-second intervals. Another portion of the BOSS is when the social worker observes peers of the student. This provides the social worker with comparison data for them to look at. The social worker has five options to mark as to how the student, and their peer, is doing. These options include: active engaged time, passive engaged time, off-task motor, off- task verbal, and off-task passive. Active engaged time (AET) is when the student is doing what they are supposed to be doing, such as writing, reading aloud, and raising their hand. Passive engaged time (PET) includes when the student is listening or looking at the assigned task, but not doing anything beyond those listening or looking. Off-task motor (OFT-M) includes when the student is out of their seat, touching other students, or fidgeting in their seat. Off-task verbal (OFT-V) includes when the student is making sounds, talking out of turn, or calling out answers without raising their voice. Off-task passive (OFT-P) includes when the student is sitting quietly, but not paying attention to the assigned task which can include looking out the window and looking around the room.
The social worker will mark every 15-seconds which of the five options the student is currently portraying. Every fifth interval, the social worker will observe a peer and switch peers every new interval. The BOSS can be completed using the paper version or the application version, which can be used on an iPad or phone. While using the application version, the data is automatically calculated into graphs to see the student’s and peer’s activity during the observation time. While using the paper version, the social worker would need to calculate the data manually. The BOSS is connected to the School Social Work Practice Model through the data based decision making. By using the BOSS, the social worker is being provided with concrete information so that they are best able to make a decision to assist the student in need.