Functional assessment: Old wine in new bottles

This manuscript traces functional assessment (FA) in school settings to ear ly contributions by B. F Skinner that are evident in Science and Human Beha vior (1953). The logic and methods of functional assessment are evident in Skinner's writings, and many early researchers and practitioners influenced by his ideas employed FA in designing interventions in schools and other s ettings. FA has continued to play an important role in behavior analysis, a nd the value of this approach in dealing with behavior problems in many set tings, including schools, has long been evident. Although interest in FA in school settings has only recently become widespread, FA in education has a long and impressive history.