Teacher praise is an effective classroom management tool. Training teachers to increase their use of praise can improve student disruptive and off-task behavior. The purpose of this article is to examine different characteristics of praise and the training methods used in the literature. Training methods with positive treatment acceptability and…

Teacher praise is an effective classroom management tool. Training teachers to increase their use of praise can improve student disruptive and off-task behavior. The purpose of this article is to examine different characteristics of praise and the training methods used in the literature. Training methods with positive treatment acceptability and…

Describes the development and implementation of Lee Canter's Assertive Discipline model, noting its use at Takoma Park (MD) Elementary School and the reaction of parents, students, and teachers. Supporters stress that it puts teachers in charge, rewarding good behavior and punishing bad, but critics call it dehumanizing, humiliating, and…

To reduce problem behaviors in the classroom, teachers should emphasize the desired behaviors they want students to exhibit, through differential reinforcement of zero rates of behaviors, incompatible behaviors, lower rates of behavior, and communicative behaviors. This paper discusses the advantages of differential reinforcement, potential…

An elementary physical education teacher describes a successful behavior improvement program implemented at his school. Students earned points (tokens) for good behavior and physical education achievement. They lost points for inappropriate behavior. Donated prizes were awarded based on accumulated points. (IAH)

A self-recording procedure to help three third grade behaviorally disordered students walk directly from regular to special education classes was evaluated. Students chose from an array of reinforcers for use when they had reached the classroom within a specified time. The intervention was effective in increasing the number of days students walked…

Argues against the use of rewards for students. Discusses their origin in Skinner's behaviorism and their application in behavior modification in the classroom. Describes the problems with using rewards, as noted by Alfie Kohn and others, including the erosion of intrinsic motivation and the distortion of the focus of learning. Presents…

A study conducted reinforcer assessments for three boys (ages 7-9) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who alternately received either a placebo or methylphenidate. Methylphenidate altered the relative reinforcing effectiveness of various stimuli that are often used in classroom-based behavioral treatment programs, particularly coupons…

A suggested college classroom technique for motivating and rewarding student learning is the payment of play dollars to students for correct answers, attendance, and success in pop quizzes. The method is designed to encourage, not discourage, class participation, and provides students with immediate feedback on performance. (MSE)

The book is intended to be used as a handbook by teachers, to enable them to become acquainted with the general principles and latest techniques which have proved effective in changing children's behavior. Topics include reinforcement systems, the token economy, evaluation, and curriculum. (CS)

This article defines, provides a rationale for, and describes the implementation of a classroom management level system in a middle school program for students with severe behavior disorders. The system is a motivational plan for behavioral improvement based upon a graduated series of levels with increasing student responsibility and privileges.…

A fundamental characteristic of a successful physical education program is that the students are interested and motivated to learn the intended objectives. Unfortunately, in many cases, students begin losing interest in physical education as they progress through school. In order to better understand this phenomenon, the authors explored the…

A survey of 172 teachers of students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) investigated the extent of level system use in special education classrooms, characteristics of teachers and students who use level systems, characteristics of level system operation, teacher perceptions of level system effectiveness, and their satisfaction with…