---
title: Understanding Student Behavior, BIPs, and FBAs
description: Learn how Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) can help schools understand student behavior and provide positive, effective support through an IEP.
---

[Blog l Ability Allies Indiana](https://abilityallies.org/blog)

# [Understanding Student Behavior, BIPs, and FBAs](https://abilityallies.org/blog/understanding-student-behavior-bips-and-fbas)

 Written by [Ability Allies Indiana](https://abilityallies.org/blog/author/ability-allies-indiana) | Sep 28, 2026, 6:16:10 PM

Many types of disabilities can impact a student’s behavior. If your child has an IEP and negative behaviors at school, it’s important to know what the school and the student’s case conference committee (CCC) should do to address the cause rather than just reacting to it.

Behavior professionals agree that behavior is communication. When a student struggles with behavior at school, it’s important to assess why the behavior is happening and what support may help. Two tools that can help are a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) and a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP).

## Functional Behavioral Assessment:

A Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) is a type of educational evaluation that helps a student’s case conference committee (CCC) understand why the student behaves a certain way. The school collects data by watching the student’s actions. The goal is to learn what happens before, during, and after the behavior. The data should also include when, where, and with whom the behavior occurred.

## Behavioral Intervention Plan:

The student’s CCC reviews the FBA data and develops a Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) for the student’s IEP. The BIP explains how the school can support the student and teach more appropriate ways to communicate and/or address challenges. A BIP should include positive interventions and supports. It might require changes to the learning environment, positive reinforcement, teaching new skills, and steps staff should take when the behavior starts occur.

The Indiana Department of Education created a useful document so families and professionals can better [understand BIPs](https://www.in.gov/doe/files/Behavior-Intervention-Plans-One-Pager.pdf). It explains the BIP process and what the BIP should contain. If your child has behaviors at school and no BIP, consider requesting a CCC meeting and bringing this document for discussion. Behavioral IEP supports may be an important part of ensuring your child has access to their education and makes meaningful progress.

NEED FURTHER HELP:

If you have concerns about your child’s behaviors at school, FBAs, BIPs, or other educational concerns, complete an Ability Allies application for services.

*The statements contained herein are provided for informational purposes and are not to be considered legal advice.*

[View full post](https://abilityallies.org/blog/understanding-student-behavior-bips-and-fbas)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Ability Allies Indiana"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-09-28T18:16:10.053Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-09-28T18:16:10Z",
  "headline" : "Understanding Student Behavior, BIPs, and FBAs",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 630,
    "url" : "https://21660328.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/21660328/FBA%20BIP%20Graphic.png",
    "width" : 1120
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://abilityallies.org/blog/understanding-student-behavior-bips-and-fbas",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Blog"
  }
}
```