The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a simple contingency contracting intervention on the correct use of punctuation marks in freely produced texts by elementary school children with learning disabilities. This approach can be considered a promising strategy for facilitating the development of academic skills in…

There are many instructional approaches that had been arranged in special education, especially with learning disabilities. Although the field of learning disabilities has been a safe harbor for dozens of techniques, a number of others had been beached. It is regrettable that data rarely played a role in whether a technique was dispatched or…

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of a classwide positive peer reporting intervention known as "tootling" in conjunction with a group contingency procedure to reduce the number of disruptive behaviors in a third-grade inclusive classroom. Nineteen elementary students including four students with disabilities (i.e., specific learning…

A reversal (ABAB) design was used to evaluate the effectiveness of a group contingency intervention on the verbally disrespectful behaviors of seven middle school students with specific learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders (ADHD) in a special education resource classroom setting for reading instruction. During the intervention…

Twenty-four learning disabled students (10 to 14 years old) assigned to three reward schedules (response contingent reward, 100 percent noncontingent reward, and 50 percent random noncontingent reward) were asked to replicate block designs and solve coding problems. No differences were found in errors, but Ss in noncontingent conditions…

Three experiments investigated the effects of self recording, tokens and contingent free time on learning disabled children's reading comprehension performance. Results of these three experiments supported recent findings that only minimal changes occur on comprehension performance when left as an untargeted dependent behavior. (Author)

A contingency based lottery system was implemented to improve the classroom behavior of 18 learning disabled and educable mentally handicapped students, 13 to 16 years old. The lottery led to greater preparation for class and fewer incidents of talking without permission per student. (Author/CL)

A six-week contingency management program to improve classroom behavior of learning disabled high school students climaxed in a two-day camping field trip. (A detailed trip log is included.) (PHR)

An interdependent group-managed response-cost system mediated by free tokens was employed to decrease inappropriate verbalizations of two groups of elementary-level learning disabled children (N=9). Results indicated that this contingency system was a viable and effective method of decreasing inappropriate behavior. Peer pressure was credited for…

Group contingencies with different criteria resulted in high performance averages for 12 elementary-aged learning disabled students. Two of the group contingencies produced significantly more frequent positive social interaction among subjects than that observed during baseline. (CL)

A literature review identified generic and specialized competencies for teachers of learning disabled, emotionally handicapped, and educable mentally handicapped students. Core competencies included teacher-directed instruction, active academic responding, contingent reinforcement, and adaptive instruction. Specialized competencies for each…

Offers a six-step procedure for developing and implementing a response cost system for changing problem classroom behaviors of students with learning disabilities. Steps described are establishing classroom rules, rewarding compliance, selecting reinforcers, reducing noncompliance through response cost consequences, following through on…

This article discusses using a group contingency as a technique to increase appropriate behavior and decrease inappropriate behavior of students with learning disabilities who are either in regular classrooms or special classes. The advantages and disadvantages of three types of group contingencies (dependent group contingency, independent group…

Parents can help their children with learning and/or behavior problems adjust to junior high school by implementing a home-school contingency plan in which certain privileges are made contingent on good social or academic behavior at school. Suggestions are offered for establishing, implementing, and terminating (or continuing) a successful plan.…

A creative writing program using a token reinforcement approach for six 10- to 12-year-old students with learning and behavior problems resulted in increased output of written words, reduced spelling errors, and improved composition quality. (CL)