Time-out

Time-out is defined as a behavior management technique in which, to provide a student with an opportunity to regain self-control, the student is separated from other students for a limited period in a setting:

(A) that is not locked; and

(B) from which the student is not physically prevented from leaving.

Personnel called upon to implement time out based on requirements established in the student's IEP and/or BIP must receive training in the use of timeout within 30 school days of being assigned the responsibility of implementing time out.  This training must include the required TBSI (Texas Behavior Support Initiative) modules.

The following guidelines should be considered to determine if the use of time-out is appropriate:

1. Time-out should only be used in conjunction with an array of positive behavior intervention strategies and techniques and must be included in the student's IEP and/or BIP.

2. The behaviors that will result in time-out should be explicitly stated. The statement should also identify the reinforcing situations that are maintaining the behavior. Planning Process.pdf

3. The teacher or behavioral specialist should have documentation that the milder forms of time-out or other reduction techniques have proved ineffective in suppressing the inappropriate behavior.  The ARD committee must use any collected data to judge the effectiveness of the timeout and provide a basis for making determinations regarding its continued use. MonitorUse.pdf

4. The teacher or behavioral specialist should prepare a concise, written statement of procedures to be followed when a student chooses to be in time-out. Planning Process.pdf

5. Physical force or threat of physical force shall not be used to place a student in timeout.

6. Characterize time-out as a "cool down" behavior management technique that assists the school in serving children in less restrictive settings.

7. A staff member must be assigned to the area of the time-out so that continuous visual and auditory monitoring occurs.

8. Records should be kept of each occasion when time-out is used. This documentation should be recorded on the AISD forms. FrequencyMonitoring.pdf

9. Use of timeout shall not be used in such a fashion that precludes the ability of the student to be involved in and progress in the general curriculum and advance appropriately toward attaining the annual goals specified in the student's IEP.