F. Reward/Recognition Program Established

Core Feature

PBIS Implementation Goal

F. Reward/Recognition Program Established

22. A system of rewards has elements that are implemented consistently across campus.

23. A variety of methods are used to reward students.

24. Rewards are linked to expectations and rules.

25. Rewards are varied to maintain student interest.

26. Ratios of acknowledgement to corrections are high.

27. Students are involved in identifying/developing incentives

28. The system includes incentives for staff/faculty.

Objectives

• Understand why it is important to develop a school-wide acknowledgement system

• Identify the guidelines for developing a school-wide acknowledgement system

• Develop a school-wide acknowledgment system

Why Develop aSchool-wide Acknowledgment System?

• Increases the likelihood that desired behaviors will be repeated

• Focuses staff and student attention on desired behaviors

• Fosters a positive school climate• Reduces the need for engaging in time

consuming disciplinary measures

Types of Rewards

• Social

• Activity

• Sensory

• Escape

• Tangible• - Edibles• - Materials• - Tokens

Rewards/ReinforcersHorner and Spaulding

• Contingently delivered consequence (event, activity, object) associated with an increase in the future likelihood of a behavior in similar situations

• We rarely wait to see the effect• We presume

Example

• If the consequence was a piece of fruit and the behavior increased, then the fruit was a reward

• If the consequence was a sticker and the behavior increased, then the sticker was a reward

• If the consequence was a reprimand (which included adult attention), and the behavior increased, then the reprimand was a REWARD

• Rewards are defined by the effect they have on behavior, not on their intended desirability

Guidelines1. Reward Behavior, not people2. Include the student in identification of possible rewards3. Use small rewards frequently, rather than large rewards

infrequently.4. Embed rewards in the activity/behavior you want to

encourage5. Ensure that rewards closely follow the behavior you

want to encourage6. Use rewards that are natural to the context,

developmentally appropriate and easy to administer.7. Use many different rewards- keep novel8. Use rewards 5 times more often than negative

consequences.9. Avoid delivering rewards for problem behaviors.

Reward System Guidelines

• Keep it simple• Provide staff with opportunities to recognize

students in common areas who are not in their classes

• Include information and encouraging messages on daily announcements

• Rewards should target 85-95% of students

Guidelines• Reward frequently in the beginning• Reward contingent on desired behavior• Refrain from threatening the loss of rewards as a

strategy for motivating desired behaviors• Refrain from taking earned items or activities away

from a student• Students should be eligible to earn rewards

throughout the day contingent upon appropriate behavior

Challenges

• Remaining focused on the positive

• Providing meaningful rewards

• Maintaining consistency with all staff

• Tracking your reward system

Solutions• Keep ratios of reinforcement to correction high

(4:1)• Involve students on your team to help with

meaningful rewards• Provide reward system trainings to staff

annually and plan for booster trainings as needed

• Develop data-based system for monitoring and documenting appropriate behaviors

Meeting Token System Challenges

• Token System:– Refers to a reward system that works in the same

manner as money, where a “token” can be redeemed for “things” or “experiences”

• If tangible tokens are used:– Ensure an adequate supply– Take steps to prohibit counterfeiting– Develop a system for “spending” tokens– Establish an efficient system of record keeping

Tips for Teachers

• Why traditional rewards (i.e. stickers, cookies…) don’t work for some students:– The reward is not preferred by the student– Give the student choices

• Offer 3 choices for the reward and allow the student to pick the one he likes best

• This option will ensure the reward is preferred and give the student a sense of ownership

Example: How to provide a reward

• Staff trained to immediately acknowledge:– Name behavior and expectation observed– Give positive verbal/social acknowledgement– Give out token for access to reward system

2000-2001 Gotchas, Level 1, & ODR per Day per Month

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~10 positive : 1 correction

Are “Rewards” Dangerous?

“…our research team has conducted a series of reviews and analysis of (the reward) literature; our conclusion is that there is no inherent negative property of reward. Our analyses indicate that the argument against the use of rewards is an overgeneralization based on a narrow set of circumstances.”– Cameron, 2002

• Cameron & Pierce, 1994, 2002• Cameron, Banko & Pierce, 2001

“Super Sub Slips”

• Empowering subs in Cottage Grove, OR• Procedures

– Give 5 per sub in subfolder– Give 2 out immediately

“Positive Office Referral”

• Balancing positive/negative adult/student contacts in Oregon

• Procedures– Develop equivalent positive referral– Process like negative referral

Other Effective Strategies

• Positive parent telephone contacts with students present

• Coupons (purchased with established numbers of tokens) for the following:– Extra P.E., art, music– Board game day– Can use at a school carnival instead of money– No homework coupon (use with caution)– Free entrance into a sporting event/dance– Early release pass

Rewarding Staff

• Keeping staff motivated is just as important to the PBS process as motivating students

• Utilize community resources and local businesses• Incentives for staff that have worked at other

schools include:– After School Ice Cream Social– Leave 5min early pass– Special Parking Spots– Recognition at faculty meetings

Activity 6Current Practice• How are students and teachers acknowledged?• What roadblocks and challenges would you predict with

instituting an acknowledgement program? How will you overcome such challenges?

• How will we provide specific, direct and frequent feedback implemented consistently?

• What strategies will we use to maintain 4:1 ratio?• Design Acknowledgement System• Review Examples• Develop Action Steps