Table 3 Concepts and Categories on the Training and Role of Behavior Intervention Specialist Teachers Derived from Grounded Theory

Major Category Subcategory Concept
Necessity and Role Establishment of Behavior Intervention Specialist Teachers Clarification of Duties and Roles of Behavior Intervention Specialist Teachers ■ Confusion and conflict in the field due to ambiguity of roles and authority■ Limitations of perceiving the role as a ‘firefighter’ focused only on emergency response■ Redefining core tasks as a builder of school-wide behavior support systems■ Role as a mentor and coach assisting in strengthening homeroom teachers’ competencies■ Difficulty in securing authority as an expert due to the absence of an official position■ Discrepancy in expectations regarding the specialist teacher’s role between administrators and teachers■ Identity conflict between being a ‘fixer’ and a ‘facilitator’
Need for Institutionalization of Placement and Operational Standards ■ Physical limitations in executing interventions due to concurrent teaching and homeroom duties■ Reduction of teaching hours and guarantee of full-time duty to focus on intervention tasks■ ‘School-resident model’ fostering a preventive culture within the school■ ‘Center-affiliated model’ for high-difficulty cases and itinerant support■ Securing legal basis and status such as in the ‘Act on Special Education for Persons with Disabilities, etc.’■ Granting positions equivalent to Master Teachers and providing practical incentives (allowances, extra points)■ Establishing appropriate placement standards considering school level and size
Reform and Internalization of Professional Development Programs Focusing on Practical Application Designing an Integrated Curriculum Organically Linking Theory and Practice ■ Limitations of theory-heavy curricula with low field applicability■ Low practical self-efficacy compared to the massive amount of training hours■ Introduction of apprenticeship-style coaching observing demonstrations by accomplished experts (supervisors)■ Integrated modular courses cycling through theory learning, field practice, and supervision■ Designing long-term, phased advanced education curricula rather than short-term training■ Training centered on case studies reflecting actual school contexts■ Providing objective feedback through analysis of one’s own class and intervention videos
Standardization of Training Content and Operational Enrichment for Strengthening Practical Competencies ■ Standardization of training courses and curricula that vary by province/city■ Mandatory education on physical intervention (self-defense) for teacher protection and crisis management■ Counseling and communication skills for building trust with parents and colleagues■ Conflict management and negotiation skills for collaborative problem-solving■ Practical ethics education for resolving ethical dilemmas occurring in the field■ Internalization of blended learning to enhance accessibility and learning efficiency■ Inclusion of instructional strategies for social skills and peer relationship formation
Establishment of a Behavior Intervention Practice Model Aligned with the School Curriculum ■ Strengthening competence in instructional adaptation to facilitate class participation■ Acquiring skills for structuring the physical classroom environment and preventive intervention strategies■ Implementation of behavior interventions linked to Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals■ Practice of school-wide intervention models for universal support (Tier 1)■ Cultivating ability to create and utilize teaching-learning materials for behavior intervention■ Establishment of a Field Practice-Based Training system
Establishment of a Comprehensive System to Enhance the Effectiveness and Expertise of Behavior Intervention Establishment of Internal and External Support Systems for Efficient Behavior Intervention ■ Mandatory awareness improvement training for administrators (principals, vice-principals) to secure execution power■ Creating a trust-based collaborative culture with homeroom teachers and school members■ Establishing parent education and cooperation systems for home-linked guidance■ Activation of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to deepen expertise and resolve isolation■ Mutual supervision and case-sharing networks among peer specialists■ Building organic cooperation networks with external specialized institutions (medical, psychological)■ Practical operation and empowerment of in-school behavior intervention support teams
Establishment of a Data-Based Performance Management and Evaluation System for Behavior Intervention ■ Reduction of administrative duties to allow focus on planning and executing behavior interventions■ Securing stable budgets to ensure the sustainability of the system■ Establishment of data-based performance management systems to verify objective effectiveness■ Preparation of standardized documentation and recording systems for efficient task performance■ Deployment of auxiliary personnel for administrative support■ Support systems guaranteeing autonomy and authority in intervention execution
Introduction of a National Qualification and Certification System for Quality Assurance of Expertise ■ Introduction of strict qualification verification procedures (exams, demonstrations) beyond simple completion■ Introduction of national qualification and certification systems to secure public confidence in specialist teachers■ Linkage with credible qualification courses such as master’s degrees■ Mandatory continuing education to maintain expertise and acquire the latest trends■ Quality management through a recertification system renewing qualifications at regular intervals■ Dissemination of standard operating manuals to resolve regional operational disparities■ Systematization of ethical practice monitoring and supervision