BEHAVIOR CONTRACTS "A behavior contract is a written document between an instructor and student which specifies expected behaviors, positive and negative consequences, and time frame of the contract with review dates" (Behavior contracts, 2014).
How to do a behavior contract:
Things to do:
Make preparations
Define the behavior
Select reinforcers
Define the criterion
Select bonus/penalty
Negotiate
Explain purpose
Explain rules
Open negotiations
Conclude negotiations
Write it (be specific!!)
Sign it (Student, teacher, other participants)
Post it (Will enhance effectiveness)
Why behavior contracts?
Provides students with more one on one help
Holds students accountable
Provides structure, routine, consistency and organization
Promotes self responsibility
Increases student motivation and effort
Improves school/home communication
"Behavior contracts are practical and creative ways for instructors to help students of all ages improve various problematic behaviors such as classroom and social behavior, substance abuse, school attendance, etc" (Behavior Contracts, 2014).
When's the right time?
When a student exhibit persistent behavior problems
When a student is very unorganized
When a student fail to consistently fail to complete daily class activities
When students exhibit persistent emotional difficulties
When students are defiant and oppositional
Variations:
Every behavior contract will be different-depends on child
Who Implements:
Typically teachers implement behavior contracts
Occasionally parents will implement a behavior contract
Materials Needed:
The behavior contract (written up)
A pen for the signatures
Possibly a reward (candy, toy, etc.)
Examples:
Duke is a student that continually has difficulty turning in his homework assignments. His mother indicates that she works on the assignments with Duke. However, he rarely turns them into the teacher. Both the mother, the teacher, and Duke have negotiated a contract that stipulates when he turns in 10 assignments (not in a row), he will get to choose any reward from the classroom reward menu. In addition, his mother will get him a video on that evening and take him to a fast-food restaurant. However; when he misses an assignment, he will stay in at recess and redo that assignment.
Jon is a 10th grade student that has difficulty getting to school on time. He is chronically tardy for the first period and disrupts the class when he enters the room. He and his teacher have decided that when Jon is not tardy for 5days, then he gets the parking space next to the principal's for the next 3 days. However; if he is tardy, his dad will be called at work, and he loses his parking privilege for 1 day.
Potential Pitfalls:
Student may not be completely invested
The reward(s) may not be motivating enough for that student
Points or awards may not be given enough therefore; the student may not be invested
"A behavior contract is a written document between an instructor and student which specifies expected behaviors, positive and negative consequences, and time frame of the contract with review dates" (Behavior contracts, 2014).
How to do a behavior contract:
Why behavior contracts?
When's the right time?
Variations:
Who Implements:
Materials Needed:
Examples:
Potential Pitfalls: