Purpose: This article investigates the establishment of commitment in pedagogical practices through what are known as 'behavioural contracts'. Such contracts are seen as a participatory element of democratic pedagogy and are linked to the aim of strengthening students' self-determination. The objective is to demonstrate that as a pedagogical…

Principals' wheelbarrows are full of initiatives: closing learning gaps, preparing for the Common Core State Standards, differentiating instruction, and improving college and career readiness, to name a few. Meanwhile, principals have too few assets in their toolboxes to meet all the hefty demands. Taking the long view, it becomes clear that true…

Discusses the magnitude of the problem of deferred maintenance on today's university campuses and the solving this problem using performance-based energy efficiency retrofit as implemented by energy service companies (ESCO). Several case studies of ESCO designed retrofits are examined. (GR)

Describes development and problems of contract package," an agreement between state vocational rehabilitation agencies and rehabilitation facilities for some kind of guaranteed expenditure of funds for a guaranteed level of service. (Author/AG)

Compared two behavioral treatments for marital discord with a nonspecific control and waiting-list control. Behavioral treatments combined problem-solving skills with contingency management procedures, differing only in contracting form, good faith contracts, and quid pro quo contracts. Both behavioral groups improved significantly more than…

This skill laboratory provides a technique for problem definition and alternative methods to gather pertinent data that surrounds a given situation. Seven skills are discussed including Kaufman's tri-level needs assessment model, intergroup building, organizational slice, force field analysis, brainstorming, problem definition, and conflict…

There is much to be read and said about the value of group counselling. The central purpose of this paper is not to convince someone of the merits of group work but rather to describe a group counselling model which has met with some success. The Pyramid Problem Solving Model is based on a series of tasks which, if completed, propose to aid the…

A Danish university's foreign language teacher education program's use of learning contracts is described. The student project has four major functions: solving a particular instructional problem, working in a group, finding a method that uses the individuals' skills to their best advantage, and organizing the work to be done. (MSE)

Systematic contracting which involves students, parents, and teachers negotiating common issues is a time-limited cognitive-behavioral intervention that has the potential to maximize psychologists' impact upon schools. (BW)

Reviews the literature on reciprocity counseling. Evidence is presented for the usefulness of reciprocity counseling with young, well-educated, White clients with slight to moderate marital distress. Research into the effectiveness of several components of reciprocity counseling including contracting, problem solving training, and feedback is…

Project questions are real-world problems with multiple solutions, no obvious solution sequence, requiring hands-on data collection, and investigation of topics within and outside mathematics. Discusses evaluation of solution processes, describes a detailed example involving the trajectory of a baseball, and suggests 19 other project questions.…

Papers presented at this conference focus primarily on the development of critical thinking and problem solving skills. Topics related to critical thinking include metacognition, curriculum development, and teaching strategies in foreign languages; teaching critical reading of literature to develop critical thinking skills; use of guided design in…

Describes a process by which technology education students negotiate a contract with the teacher, then develop a plan to fulfill the contract and meet specific criteria for assessment. Concludes that this process provides a mechanism for the individualization of learning, accommodates the development of independence and self-direction, and…

The integration of the behavioral technique of performance contracting into the family therapy modality is discussed. A case example is presented and a sample contract is included in the text. Particular attention is paid to the use of contracting as a means of circumventing initial phase resistance in families. (Author)

This booklet provides activities to enrich the core of basic mathematics instruction in the intermediate grades. Several learning center ideas are presented throughout the book, with general suggestions for the teacher in planning for and managing learning centers. The use of contracts with students is also discussed. Bulletin board ideas are…