BIPs are not created for every child, every situation,
or only students with individualized education
programs (IEPs) or 504 plans. Any child having
diculty with behavior can have a BIP. A BIP is
intended to support children who have behaviors
interfering with learning at school. If a child has an
IEP or 504 plan, the team will decide if an FBA and
BIP are needed. According to the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), if a child’s disability
(including learning and thinking dierences) is
causing a challenging behavior to interfere with the
child’s learning or the learning of others, the school
must consider whether the child needs positive
behavior supports and other strategies, which may
include an FBA and a BIP, to reduce or eliminate the
behavior and its resulting impact on learning.
Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)
A behavior intervention plan (BIP) is a written improvement plan created for a student
based on the outcome of the functional behavior assessment (FBA). The FBA should identify
what is maintaining or causing a challenging behavior, and the BIP species the actions to
take to improve or replace the behavior. A BIP is not a punishment but an individualized
plan for success with more intensive supports and oversight. A BIP could result in changes
in instruction, types of support or intervention, or the environment. A BIP focuses on
teaching alternate behaviors to meet the child’s needs and serves the same function as the
behavior of concern. The process of creating a BIP is led by the individualized education
program (IEP) team and includes the parents, teachers, support sta, and the student.
Family Matters
Michigan Department of Education Oce of Special Education
July 2023
Fact Sheet
1-888-320-8384
(OSE information line)
michigan.gov/
specialeducation-familymatters
mde-ose@
michigan.gov
Family Matters fact sheets are intended to enhance public understanding of Michigan's special education
system and are not a substitute for ocial laws and regulations.
When a BIP May Be Needed
What is in the BIP?
The BIP includes the following:
What is happening.
Denition of the problem
(target) behavior, dened
specically.
Why it is happening.
Information collected in the FBA
and what is maintaining the
behavior of concern.
How to replace the behavior.
Uses positive strategies to
encourage acceptable behavior.
information, support, and education
Michigan Alliance for Familie
s
Michigan Alliance for Families:
Behavior Intervention Plans
Resources
BIP Outcomes
For BIPs to have good outcomes, it is very important to have an accurate FBA and understand what
is maintaining the behavior of concern (also called the function of the behavior). Interventions and
supports are based on what is maintaining the behavior. Therefore, if interventions are based on
accurate data, it is more likely the intervention will work. Likewise, if inaccurate data is collected in
the FBA, interventions in the BIP are less likely to work. Measurements should be in place to ensure
the child is making progress in the BIP. It is also important to review the BIP on a regular basis to
make sure the interventions and supports are working and needed. Sometimes the BIP needs to be
changed or dierent interventions used if the child is not making progress.
BIPs and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
BIPs are included in PBIS Tier 3 interventions for students exhibiting more severe behavior
and who have not responded to Tier 1 or Tier 2 supports. The FBA results help create the
BIP and assures the student and family needs are central in supporting students with more
complex needs.
• Center for Parent Information & Resources
Behavior at School
• Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
» Disability
» PBIS: A Brief Introduction and FAQ
• U.S. Department of Education
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA):
Behavior Intervention Plans