ABSTRACT
In the current chapter, we describe an evidence-based intervention originally developed by Steven W. Evans, that is used to teach students to organize materials and manage time. Organization training focuses on training students to manage materials, such as binders and bookbags, track and submit assignments, manage time, and plan tasks. Organization training is especially important for secondary students who are expected to independently function and meet expectations across multiple subjects and teachers. Moreover, organization skills are necessary for long-term success and can be implemented via paper pencil forms or applications (apps) on electronic devices, such as iPads®, tablets, or cell phones. This chapter begins with the story of Cedric, a seventh-grade student who struggles with organization of materials. As such, his teachers describe his backpack as “bursting” and he cannot find his homework and frequently receives zeros for work that he has completed but not submitted to the teacher. In the chapter, we describe:
seven stages of organizational training: (1) preparation; (2) assessment; (3) area dump and reorganization; (4) checking, correcting, reinforcing; (5) fading contingencies; (6) guided independence; and (7) independence and matching;
three barriers to implementation (declining progress, student refusal/lack of willingness, lack of time) and means of overcoming each;
considerations and suggestions for culturally responsive organizational training (parental values, resources);
programming for individual plans that include organizational training with examples associated with CASEL standards, levels of academic achievement and behavior functioning, and an associated annual smart goal.
