TIPS: Identify the Problem with Precision

Learning Activity

When identifying a problem, a problem-solving team reviews the data alerting them that a problem exists and crafts a precision statement detailing the who, what, where, when, and why of the situation. Defining problems in this manner sets the course for more effective and efficient problem solving the lead to positive outcomes for students. Precision statement example:

There are a high number of tardy to class referrals, throughout the day, from 9th and 10th grade students. Students report that teachers don’t care or notice if they are in the classroom or not. They also indicate that nothing happens for the first five minutes anyway. Staff report that students do not move in the hallway and are engaged in socializing (gain peer attention).  

Read through the precision statement example and answer the following questions:

• Who is causing the problem? 
• What is the problem behavior? 
• Where are they engaging in this problem behavior?
• When are they engaging in this problem behavior? 
• Why are they engaging in this problem behavior? 

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