The behavior of four boys who were referred for oppositional, rule violating, and aggressive behaviors was assessed by direct observation and parent reports. Changing contract behavior to solitary toy play resulted in reduced oppositional behavior during the observation sessions, fewer reports from the parents of low-rate problem behaviors, and…

A school audit is described, based on the PeaceBuilders program, which helps to create a more peaceful school environment. A research-driven violence prevention program, PeaceBuilders has identified characteristics that help in creating this environment, such as common language, positive stories and behavior posters, daily rewards, group rewards,…

Three male primary students were issued a daily report card rating their disruptive behavior. Parents were asked to praise positive reports and ignore negative reports. Results showed that the intervention was effective in reducing inappropriate behaviors while increasing assignment completion. Ratings by parents, teachers, peers, and subjects…

Ten elementary school teachers received inservice training on use of praise. Following the training, the average rate of both specific praise and "outside circle" praise rose, and remained high a year later. Changes in student behaviors included a decrease in disruptive behavior and an increase in work completion. (Author/JDD)

A study of the relationship between presence or absence of sleep deprivation, allergy symptoms, and the rate and function of problem behavior in three adolescents with moderate to profound mental retardation found that problem behavior was negatively reinforced by escape from instruction, and both allergy symptoms and sleep deprivation influenced…

This study found that use of a dependent group evaluation system effectively decreased the group's inappropriate verbalizations and that the 9 students (ages 11-13) with disabilities had positive reactions to the system. The system involved delivering reinforcement based on an identified student's rating and congruence of the student's rating with…

Three individuals with multiple severe disabilities were taught an appropriate response to problem behaviors, but the response was less efficient than the problem behavior on physical effort, schedule of reinforcement, or stimulus-reinforcer time delay. The response did not compete successfully with the problem behaviors until a new, more…

First Step to Success is used at the outset of a child's school career, when making changes in antisocial behavior is easiest. The short-term program provides positive reinforcement for desirable behaviors and has a home component that draws on parent support. Sidebar profiles programs that promote positive behaviors in older children: Project…

This article suggests that students with emotional/behavioral disorders may use disruptive behaviors to escape and avoid teacher instructional language for which they do not have comprehension skills and thus find aversive. Teacher instructional language thus maintains aberrant behavior through a negative reinforcement paradigm. Recommendations…

When parent-teacher conferences don't improve a problem student's behavior, a systematic change strategy is needed. Daily report cards are effective if they divide the day into segments, provide evaluations for each segment, feature increasingly demanding goals, provide parent reinforcement, use mild punishment, and accrue reinforcement rewards. A…

Presents guidelines for developing an effective rule management routine, including create rules and procedures based on cooperative and productive learning behavior; identify specific student behaviors for rule compliance; define teacher responsibilities for rule compliance; establish logical consequences; and develop communication links among…

Article reports the results of a brief, computer-based assessment of reinforcer dimensions affecting choice and the application of information yielded by the assessment in informing interventions for classroom disruptions of two students. Results showed that choice (time allocated problems within each set) was differentially affected by the…

Preventative strategies are critical for the 5-15% of students at risk at the secondary level of intervention within the three-tier model of positive behavior support, and on the verge of developing more severe problem behavior. Two case studies illustrate how the use of social skills instruction and a self-management system can effectively…

When Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1997, it authorized an evaluation to track progress at the state and local levels on the legislative goals of IDEA. The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) commissioned a national longitudinal study, the Study of State and Local…

The high levels of juvenile crime in Australian society are reflected in the schools. This paper suggests a number of issues and concepts on juvenile misbehavior which should be of interest to educators. Due to rapid changes, there is less agreement on the foundational principles of culture. It is argued that educators need to help society…