What must be demonstrated for negative behaviors to qualify a student for special education services?

To qualify a student for special education services based on negative behaviors, it is essential to demonstrate that these behaviors significantly affect the student’s performance in the classroom. This means that the negative behaviors must interfere with the student's ability to learn, participate, and succeed in educational settings. The focus is on the educational impact of these behaviors, indicating that the student may require specialized instruction or interventions to support their learning needs.

The emphasis on classroom performance suggests that it is not merely the presence of negative behaviors that matters, but rather how those behaviors hinder the student’s academic achievements and social interactions within the educational environment. Demonstrating that these behaviors have a significant impact can help educators and specialists determine the need for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or other support services.

Other options, while relevant to broader discussions about student behavior or academic discrepancies, do not specifically address the need for significant negative behavior affecting classroom performance as a criterion for special education eligibility.