1. Developing Behavioral Contracts What are behavioral contracts?

2. Behavioral Contracts Behavior contracts is a popular method of increasing appropriate behavior Behavioral contracts work the same way that any other contract works There are three main components that should be included in any behavioral contract: Task (The replacement behavior that you are implementing) Consequence/Reward (What the student receives for meeting that task expectations) Task Record (Simply recording student behavior pertaining to the contract)

3. Behavioral Contracts Behavior contracts should be an agreement between the student, teacher, and parents Step One: Set up a meeting with the students and his/her parents (It is important to include the parents!) Step Two: State the task in observable terms (the teacher MUST see the behavior occurring). It is important that there is a time frame for the task as well as how often the task/behavior should occur/documented. Example: Student comes to class before the bell rings each day of the week.

4. Behavioral Contracts Step Three: There should be explicit consequences for the previously described task. The consequences must state what exactly the student will earn if they meet the expectation and must be motivating to the student Ask the student and/or parents at the meeting what a good reward would be The consequence must be reinforcing of the replacement behavior The delivery of the consequence must be explicitly stated as well Example: Everyday at 3:00 p.m. The consequence must also include how often it will be provided Example: Every 15 minutes

5. Behavioral Contracts Step Four: It is important to develop a system that can be used to record the students behavior easily This record keeping system can be attached to the students contract allowing the teacher to easily record student behavior/task (Simple charts work really well) Teachers should also integrate self-recording or self-monitoring into the system, allowing students to mark whether or not they have met the expectations outlined in the contract This allows students to take ownership of their behavior

6. Behavioral Contracts Developing a Contract: There are many different formats available online that educators can use as well as typing up their own quick form The contract should include these important components: Task Consequence Record Keeping System Parent/Teacher/Student Signatures – Letting students sign the contract gives them more ownership for their behavior and the contract

7. Behavioral Contracts Example of a Behavioral Contract: http://worksheetplace.com/index.php?function=DisplayCategory&showCategory=Y&links=2&id=87&link1=31&link2=87 http://www.teachervision.fen.com/classroom-discipline/printable/6241.html?detoured=1 These are some quick reference contracts that educators can use, but it is important that educators include all the the important information that was previously discussed.

8. Behavioral Contracts Example: Contract Contract between __________ and ___________ . Description of Desired Behavior: Plan for Desired Behavior: Rewards of Desired Behavior: Monitoring: Signatures: Parent _____________ Student ______________ Teacher _____________

9. Behavioral Contracts The previous example was a brief write-up that I did to show how simple designing a contract can be The focus should be on making sure that the components of the contract are EXPLICIT Also, the parents, student, and teacher should all AGREE with the contract in order for it to be effective After the contract is initiated, there must be consistency in implementing it

10. Behavioral Contracts This is an intervention that should not be used as the first step towards changing behavior Make the students other teachers aware of the contract as well as any administrators This can be a highly effective form of positive behavior change when used correctly