What is used to assess if learning has occurred and its retention over time?

Maintenance checks are systematic methods used to determine whether a learner can consistently perform a skill or behavior after instruction has taken place. They focus specifically on whether the learned behaviors are retained over time, following the initial teaching and practice phases. By conducting these checks at various intervals after the initial learning has occurred, practitioners can gain insights into the longevity and stability of the behavior, offering evidence that retention has successfully occurred.

This approach is essential in applied behavior analysis as it informs practitioners about the effectiveness of the teaching methods and whether further intervention is necessary to maintain the learned skills. By assessing behaviors after some time has passed since instruction, maintenance checks provide a clear picture of overall learning success and help guide future instructional decisions.