A social and academic change program was designed for an 11-year-old educable mentally retarded female with Downs Syndrome. Noncompliant behavior was modified through systematic and consecutive manipulations of two reinforcement systems. Responding to teacher requests within 5 seconds was reinforced within the context of math instruction in order…

In response to the prevailing attitude in American education today demanding higher academic standards and greater student achievement, this article lists 25 programs designed to increase academic excellence while still promoting a positive learning environment within the school. (DCS)

Reports on a study to determine the impact of feedback on academic achievement. Finds that students who received daily feedback scored significantly better on tests than students who received partial or no feedback. Maintains that the benefits to students outweigh any difficulties for teachers. (CFR)

Describes behavioral procedures used with adolescent students which involved manipulating type and delay of reinforcement, teaching desirable behaviors, and training in several skills. Implemented procedures through an independent group-oriented contingency system. These students performed significantly better on grades, school attendance, and…

THE FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THIS DOCUMENT: Recognition for special effort and achievement has been noted as a component of effective schools. Schools in the Moreland School District have effectively improved standards of discipline and achievement by providing forty-six different ways for children to receive positive recognition. Good…

Presents positive strategies to help teachers turn behavior problems in the classroom around. Suggestions include looking for the good rather than the bad, avoiding negative labels, seeking coaches and avoiding critics, and working with parents. A list of 10 steps to success are provided. (SM)

This book provides information on what works in education, how teachers can find what works, how educational research can find its way into classrooms, and how teachers can apply it to help individual students. Data come from a meta-analysis of research studies on instructional strategies that could be used by K-12 teachers. Nine research-based…

The Michigan Department of Education with assistance from the Educational Testing Service has compiled the results of valid educational research studies on specific topics into a report to be used as a guide for developing effective schools. It is intended for use by practitioners to help bridge the gap between educational researchers and…

The replication study examined the effectiveness of a self-recording procedure to increase the levels of academic performance and production in 18 primary-aged mildly mentally handicapped children enrolled in either a self-contained or a resource class. Subjects were instructed in a self-recording procedure to track the number of worksheets…

An outline is presented of organizational procedures that teachers can use to maximize the use of classroom time. Specific guidelines are given on how to give homework assignments, how to communicate expectations regarding student work, how to distribute instructional materials, and how to allocate time among various classroom activities. Brief…

This paper reviews significant research findings from the past 10 years which demonstrate that teachers' attitudes, expectations, and behavior have significant practical effects on student achievement. Although causes of differential interaction are not definitely established, it is clear that many teachers vary sharply in their interaction…

Three highly distractible female students, aged 9 through 11, with mild to moderate mental handicaps completed a 5-step training process followed by student self-monitoring with no tangible extrinsic reinforcement for improved performance. Results found increased on-task behavior in all subjects and increased academic productivity in two.…

Two students (ages 10-11) with learning disabilities exhibited improved on-task behavior and academic performance during self-monitoring procedures, with additional increases resulting from self-graphing procedures. However, little improvement in on-task behavior and academic productivity was noted with the introduction of self-reinforcement and…

Presents study results examining the effectiveness of teacher praise on children's on-task behavior. Describes Canter's Assertive Discipline, its use in Australia, and the basics of a study of the technique. Reports that all teacher subjects increased rates of praising following training, and all but one student improved levels of behavior.…