Describes some practical techniques that lead to effective classroom discipline and that maintain an optimal learning environment. Suggestions include (1) spending time with students individually; (2) using a variety of techniques to help students make smooth transitions from one activity to another; and (3) constructing contingency contracts to…

A 13-year-old deaf-blind boy who exhibited disruptive problem behaviors during mobility training sessions was successfully treated in a program that incorporated contingent reinforcement for reduced rates of responding. A 1-year follow-up assessment revealed continued behavioral improvement. (Author/JDD)

Issues in effective diagnosis of such dishonest behavior as cheating, lying, and nonconfrontative stealing are discussed. Published intervention approaches for dishonest behavior are reviewed, including negative sanctions, direct appeals to morality, public affirmation, covert sensitization, timeout, reinforcement contingency procedures, and…

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention for increasing the arithmetic performance of four underachieving fifth-grade boys in their regular classroom. The intervention, which trains students to use student-administered procedures within a group context, was effective in increasing the students' arithmetic performance to where it…

Research efforts on school desegregation have focused on the meaning of equal status, institutional support, classroom contingency management, and cooperative interaction between Black and White students. Future research should concentrate on the long term effects of cooperative learning and of group contingency rewards and on gathering more…

The ability of students, teachers, and parents to identify effective reinforcers was studied with 54 students (8 to 16 years old) with mild learning and behavioral disabilities. Results indicate that the consequence rankings reported by the child were the only scores that significantly correlated with the anticipated consequence ranking…

Current research on training children in social skills, although promising, suffers from conceptual, methodological, and assessment problems. In addition, the rationale invoked for intervention with shy, withdrawn children appears to be questionable. This issue, as well as others, is addressed in a summary discussion. Recommendations for further…

A point system was introduced at an elementary school in British Columbia whereby: (1) students lost points for their entire class when they misbehaved; and (2) point totals were openly posted daily and weekly. The method proved effective in improving the behavior of the whole school population. (Authors/PP)

Selected literature on the use of daily/weekly report cards with parent-managed contingencies to modify school learning and behavior problems is reviewed. The development, implementation, evaluation, and fading of such programs are discussed and were found to be effective in modifying numerous school-related problem behaviors. (Author/RL)

Reports on a 10-year investigation of the use of behavioral contingency management technology to improve low-performance students' skills, which was conducted across 17 offerings of a sophomore-level undergraduate course. Findings indicate that behavioral contracting technologies involve very little cost and produce highly effective results. (AEF)

Studies the effectiveness of a free-time contingency on reducing the frequency of interruptions of 28 students in a residential treatment center high class room. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of implementation, use of peers for data collection and impact on the target behaviors. (FMW)

A small group program designed to improve social interaction between children and their autistic siblings is evaluated. Problem solving, role playing, rehearsal, homework projects, and contingency management procedures are used in group sessions. Results of the observational assessment confirm the feasibility of successful interactional training…

Demonstrates the addition of family problem-solving training (FPST) to contingency-management with an adolescent with severe conduct disorder. Using contingency management, behavior improved but the parents became increasingly frustrated. When FPST was introduced, the family became more active in treatment; focus moved away from the…

This article reviews the current research-based knowledge on nonpharmacological interventions for students with attention deficit disorder and highlights findings related to behavior management, academic instruction, home and school collaboration, and comprehensive programing. A lack of research is noted on interventions concerning daily classroom…

Two severely handicapped children (ages 5-6) exhibiting self-injurious behavior were treated with negative reinforcement (brief escape from grooming activities) contingent upon a behavior that was incompatible with self-injury (pressing a microswitch that activated a "stop" message). Treatment led to decreased self-injury, which was maintained at…