Description

This course provides information on the practices needed to build a comprehensive system to encourage and motivate students, both as they are learning the expected behaviors and then to maintain those skills as students become more fluent with their use. There are four interrelated topics that will be explored to develop a comprehensive schoolwide encouragement system: 1) adult non-contingent and contingent attention, 2) effective, specific positive feedback, 3) use of a tangible reinforcement system, and 4) a menu or continuum of reinforcers.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Understand and explain to others the importance and impact of both contingent and non-contingent attention on student behavior and school climate.
  • Understand and explain to others the importance and impact of both non-contingent and contingent attention on student behavior and school climate.
  • Use preferred adult behaviors to build relationships and positive school climate and effectively interact with students when talking about behavior.
  • Demonstrate specific, positive feedback that explicitly describes behavior and uses rationales.
  • Develop a tangible reinforcement system to enhance your use of specific, positive feedback.
  • Develop and implement an effective menu or continuum of positive reinforcement that serves to motivate all students across settings.
  • Monitor staff ’s use of encouragement strategies with students.

Prerequisites

This course is designed for Tier 1 SW-PBS Leadership Teams that have completed the schoolwide matrix and have systems in place to teach expected behavior. For more information on these topics, please see previous Tier 1 Courses: Clarifying Expected Behavior and Teaching Expecting Behavior.

Reflective Questions

  • How do you recognize student academic performance?
  • What similar systems could be put into place to recognize appropriate behavior?