Contingency Contracting With Disadvantaged Youths: Improving Classroom Performance

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of a student-teacher contracting procedure on adolescent students' academic productivity. Participants were 13 youths enrolled in a vocational training program for disadvantaged youth and their classroom teacher. During the baseline conditions students were paid contingent on attendance alone, the system operating in the program prior to this research. During contracting conditions students were paid contingent on contract fulfillment of academic productivity goals set by mutual agreement between the student and teacher. Contracting and contingent pay procedures were developed with, and implemented by, the classroom teacher. A reversal experimental design showed that student's productivity more than doubled during contracting conditions as compared with their productivity during baseline.

Working Within the Context of Three-Tiered Models of Prevention: Using Schoolwide Data to Identify High School Students for Targeted Supports

“…Contracts state the relation between expected behavior and consequences (Lane, Menzies, Bruhn, & Crnobori, 2011). With the use of behavior contracts, students have demonstrated improvements in academic outcomes such as academic productivity (Kelley & Stokes, 1982) and writing mechanics (Newstom, McLaughlin, & Sweeney, 1999). Also, behavioral contacts have been effective in decreasing truancy (Trice, 1990) and off task and disruptive behaviors (Williams, Long, & Yoakley, 1972).…”

Behaviour analysis and evidence-based education

“…For example, Kelley and Stokes (1982) demonstrated the effectiveness of a behaviour contract (independent variable) to increase classroom productivity (dependent variable), by recording data on students' performance under baseline conditions, when the behaviour contract was in place, when it was withdrawn (second baseline condition), and then when it was again introduced.…”

Suggested behavioral interventions in the classroom to assist students prenatally exposed to drugs

“…Token systems also allowed for the ecient use of two other powerful strategies, contingency contracting (Kelley & Stokes, 1982; and daily report cards.…”

“…Contingency contracting is a data-based behavioral intervention strategy where speci®c contingencies are listed in terms of behavior and consequences (Kelley & Stokes, 1982;. For example, a student has to complete 16 problems in math for 10 minutes of free time in the classroom.…”