When positive reinforcement was presented via teacher verbalizations in a noncontingent fixed-time schedule, two autistic children (six and nine years old) increased their percentage of correct responding on difficult and easy tasks. (Author/CL)

Using free time as a consequence was effective in maintaining accuracy while increasing the percentage of arithmetic assignments completed by an underachieving seven-year-old. Follow-up data revealed that the improvements were maintained even though no programmed consequences were in effect. (Author/CL)

Results indicated that free time was a very effective reinforcer and that, under the token program, the students (two 7 and 9 year olds who rarely completed assignments) increased their task completion. (Author)

This article discusses an eight-week experimental classroom at the Malcolm Price Laboratory school at the University of Northern Iowa in which two teachers attempted to do some prescriptive teaching with 10 intermediate grade boys who had a history of disruptive behavior in the classroom. Contingency management techniques were used. (RC)

The relative effects of positive reinforcement, response cost, and the two contingencies combined when used as contingencies for correct academic responses were compared on the dependent measures of accuracy of academic performance and level of on-task behavior. All three contingency systems increased academic performance and on-task behavior.…

Discusses the positive effects of contingent rewards (verbal praise and house-points) as effective reinforcers of correct handwriting responses in elementary classrooms. Points out that direct contingency rewards proved effective in changing behavior, while implicit contingency rewards possessed aversive qualities. (JD)

Examines the effects of frequency and contingency of reinforcement on the social deprivation-satiation phenomenon. Third- and fourth-grade children were given pretraining involving variations of reinforcement in the form of praise. In a subsequent discrimination test, correct responses were consistently praised. (Author/SS)

Positive behavior management has been recommended as a more acceptable form of classroom management than traditional behavioral modification. This paper discusses the application of stimulus and contingency control methods (positive behavior management) to elicit more socially and academically acceptable behavior from elementary school children.…

The rate of achievement and enjoyment of 12 learning disabled pupils (ages 8-12 years) in a token economy was demonstrated to be higher when they were permitted to select their own reinforcers than when the teacher selected the reinforcers. (MH)

This study examined the efficacy of behavior modification in treating three hyperkinetic children (6 to 12 years old). (Author)

Use of primarily reinforcement-based behavioral procedures decreased aggressive pinching in a 10-year-old severely retarded female to near-zero levels. Procedures included differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), DRO plus timeout, DRO plus response prevention, and differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior. Results were…

Four third-grade male students with behavior problems were given tutoring sessions by sixth-grade tutors either contingent on or not contingent on classroom on task behavior. Contingent tutoring always produced improved on-task behavior, while noncontingent tutoring did not, suggesting that tutoring was an effective reinforcer. (Author/DB)

Reports on a study which attempted to determine whether an academic contingency system that successfully modified academic performance and on-task behavior of selected target children would also lead to vicarious academic or behavioral effects in non-target children. Results show that it did not. (CMG)

This article reviews the research on the benefits of applied behavior analysis (ABA) for the education of children with autism up to 5 or 6 years of age. The most common models for service delivery are presented (home- based and center- or school-based) and a few recent treatment innovations are discussed. (Contains references.) (CR)