Beyond Behavior

In this article, we provide both a critical analysis of and logical response to a set of the most typical school-based objections to the effective use of positive reinforcement. For example, one objection is that positive reinforcement amounts to bribery. Practitioners are provided with clear and concise arguments refuting each objection and data-informed rationales supporting the school-based use of positive reinforcement.

This article provides an overview of how reinforcement serves as the foundation for a function-based approach to support students with challenging behavior. Understanding reinforcement is essential when providing function-based support for students with challenging behavior. Reinforcement “strengthens” behavior, increasing the probability that similar behaviors occur again. By understanding and using reinforcement accurately, educators conduct efficient functional behavioral assessments; develop and implement positive, aligned, and individualized behavior support plans; and avoid misrules and misconceptions about reinforcement.

Positive and constructive feedback is a form of positive reinforcement essential to effective instruction and classroom management. This article provides practitioners with a range of realistic positive and constructive feedback strategies and descriptions of how such feedback can be implemented in schools and classrooms, with a special focus on the reinforcement of students with emotional and behavioral disorders.

Positive reinforcement is a research-based practice essential for supporting young children’s use of appropriate behaviors and skills. The application of positive reinforcement also is consistent with recommendations by national organizations for early childhood and early childhood special education. In this article, we describe eight guidelines for planning, implementing, and evaluating positive reinforcement in early childhood contexts that are based on current research and recommendations of these professional organizations. Examples of the use of guidelines and tools for supporting implementation are provided.

Teacher praise is an evidence-based strategy shown to increase appropriate prosocial behavior and decrease disruptive behavior, particularly with elementary school age students. In this article, we provide direction and recommendations for using positive feedback with middle and high school students. A review of the research literature, guidelines for implementation, and online resources are presented, along with a case study example designed to apply the implementation guidelines in a secondary school setting.

In this commentary on the Beyond Behavior special issue: In Support of Positive Reinforcement, the authors ask the question of why myths and misinformation related to positive reinforcement exist. They assert that the principle of negative reinforcement may be one reason. The authors also exhort educators to use the science of behavior analysis as a means to increase the use of positive reinforcement in schools.

An increasing number of students with emotional and behavioral disorders are being served in general education environments. This article provides general and special education teachers with step-by-step instructions in three classroom management strategies that, when implemented well, can increase academic engagement and reduce challenging behavior for all students in inclusive classrooms, including those with emotional and behavioral disorders. The strategies involve providing behavior-specific praise, directing play of the Good Behavior Game, and providing students with frequent opportunities to respond to academic requests.