Making Learning Real: Design Principles and Evidence for Applied Learning in Schools
Category: Student Learning
Instrument Overview
The Behavioral Observation of Students in Schools (BOSS) is an observation-based system for coding classroom behavior. BOSS is also useful for measuring ADHD symptoms as it has been shown to differentiate between children with ADHD and typically developing children. BOSS allows systematic recording of children's behaviors in the following domains: active engaged time, passive engagement time, off-task motor activity, off-task verbal behavior, off-task passive behaviors, and teacher-directed instruction. There is also a version for young children: the Behavioral Observation of Students in Schools—Early Education (BOSS—EE).
Organization
Topic
Student Well-Being Category
American Institutes for Research® partnered with the Annenberg Institute at Brown University to collect instruments related to student well-being.
Content
Grades
Kindergarten,
1st Grade,
2nd Grade,
3rd Grade,
4th Grade,
5th Grade,
6th Grade,
7th Grade,
8th Grade,
9th Grade,
10th Grade,
11th Grade,
12th Grade
Keywords
Student Well-Being ; Neurodiversity ; Classroom behavior
Languages
English
Respondent
Teacher,
Observer
Administration Information
Length
Observations of 20-30 minutes repeated over 2-3 days are recommended
Access and Use
Open Access
Yes
Setting
Classroom
Psychometrics (additional guidance)
Psychometric References
Alperin, A., Dudek, C. M., Reddy, L. A., Glover, T. A., Wiggs, N. B., & Bronstein, B. (2023). Convergent validity of the Behavior Observation of Students in Schools for elementary school students with disruptive behaviors. Psychology in the Schools, 60(10), 4039-4060.
Shapiro, E. S. (2011). Academic skills problems fourth edition workbook. New York: Guilford Press.
