Teacher Variance Inventory (TVI) Calculator

1. Sue is not achieving as well as her teacher expected. To understand this behavior, how important is it for the teacher to determine if:

A. Unresolved interpersonal conflicts with the teacher are interfering with her work.

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B. Sue is being consistently reinforced for good working habits.

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C. The classroom noise level and structure are conducive to good work habits.

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D. She has had her eyes checked recently.

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E. She could benefit from a cooperative learning experience.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

2. As soon as Gwen completes a small part of her assignment or activity. she places her head on her arms for a few minutes. To understand the cause of the behavior, how important is it for the teacher to determine if:

A. She is suffering from lack of sleep.

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B. There is sufficient reinforcement to maintain on-task behavior.

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C. She needs more help than the class size will allow.

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D. She is daydreaming as a defense against anxiety.

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E. She is fulfilling her need to function at her own pace.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

3. Mann often becomes inattentive in class. To understand this behavior, how important is it for the teacher to determine if:

A. Mann has had his vision checked recently.

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B. The classroom environment, i.e., seating arrangement, lighting, and noise level contribute to his inattentiveness.

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C. Underlying emotional conflict is preventing him from paying attention.

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D. The classroom work is fulfilling his individual academic needs.

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E. Reinforcement would increase Mann's time on task.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

4. Leah continually taps her fingers on her desk, fidgets, or shuffles her feet when seated for an activity. To understand the cause of the behavior, how important is it for the teacher to determine if this is:

A. A reaction to being seated with disruptive students.

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B. An indication of frustration to which the teacher should attend.

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C. An indication of Attention Deficit Disorder.

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D. A behavior she has learned to use to relieve her anxiety about being asked
questions by the teacher.

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E. A subtle, perhaps unconscious, attempt to disrupt the class.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

5. Teddi stands in front of the class uttering obscene worlds. The teacher tells him to sit down and he just curses more. To understand this behavior, how important is it for the teacher to determine if:

A. Tommy is showing off to impress his peers who are hostile to school authority figures.

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B. His language is a genuine expression of his frustration with the rules and expectations of these which don't address his unique needs.

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C. Tommy is displaying hostile feelings toward the teacher.

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D. Tomniy has a neurological disorder such as Tourette's Syndrome, and cannot control himself.

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E. His obscene language results from copying other people's behavior and he has not learned to express anger in a more appropriate way.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

6. When Chi asks for assistance, she is demanding and insists on getting an immediate response. Rate the effectiveness of each intervention:

A. Recognize when Chi is becoming frustrated, allow her to express her feelings of frustration and anger in a safe atmosphere, but only respond to her when she asks for help appropriately.

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B. Convince her parents and doctor to try Ritalin to see if this will increase his impulsiviety control. Suggest that the school initiated a program in peer mediation or conflict resolution.

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C. Find ways to relate to Chi and help her to examine her thoughts to see what might limit her acceptance of authority figures.

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D. Help Chi to recognize what actions of others trigger her angry responses and adjust her environment to match her needs so as to limit her interactions with those triggers.

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E. Recognize this as a genuine expression of need for recognition and respond with acceptance.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

7. Pat becomes involved in many fights with others. Her classmates complain that she has become a bully. Rate the effectiveness of each intervention:

A. Recognize when Pat is becoming frustrated and allow her to express feelings of frustration and anger in a safe atmosphere.

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B. Suggest that the school initiate a program in peer mediation or conflict resolution.

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C. Accept that Pat has an intense, reactive temperament and do not get upset when she does.

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D. Teach Pat to recognize what thoughts trigger her angry responses.

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E. Seek information for a possible referral for family therapy since angry outbursts can be related to family's history.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

8. Danni's desk area and locker area are a mess. Rate the effectiveness of each intervention:

A. Speak with his parents to determine if he does this at home as a way to defy authority figures.

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B. Reward him for maintaining a neat desk and locker.

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C. Teach organizational strategies to the whole class.

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D. Treat him as if the disorganization is caused by a learning disability and help
him organize each day.

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E. Allow Dan to determine his own style for keeping materials and schoolwork.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

9. Kelly stamps her feet and screams whenever she doe not get her way. Rate the effectiveness of each intervention:

A. Ask Kelly's parents to be sure Kelly is getting enough sleep and a daily breakfast.

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B. Encourage Kelly to work out her anger in appropriate ways through playground games.

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C. Ignore the temper tantrums in order to promote extinction of such behavior.

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D. Prevent further tantrums by creating a warm and accepting atmosphere in the
classroom.

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E. Remind her of the rules of the classroom and warn her of the consequences of her outbursts.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

10. Stacy's work is of high quality yet she has poor interpersonal skills. Rate the effectiveness of each intervention:

A. Tell Stacy you accept her preference to be alone and let her interact in her own way.

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B. Find ways to increase Stacy's trust in others so she can develop relationships.

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C. Provide opportunities for social interaction with other children, with the support of social skills training.

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D. Recognize that Stacy has a shy temperament that can be accommodated, but not changed.

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E. Modify, through discussion, Stacy's irrational beliefs that she is better off alone.

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Select which you believe is the single best response.

Best A B C D E

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