Psychoiogy
In
ihe
Schools
Volume
19.
October.
1982
INCREASING ASSIGNMENT COMPLETION AND ACCURACY USING
A
DAILY REPORT CARD PROCEDURE
BARRY
M.
DREW
Children’s Services Center
JOSEPH
H.
EVANS, DARREL
E.
BOSTOW, GLENN GEIGER,
AND
PHILIP
W.
DRASH
University
of
South Florida
Home-based reinforcement techniques have been used successfully to decrease a
number of disruptive classroom behaviors. Few studies have been conducted,
however, examining the effects
of
home-based reinforcement as a tool to increase
positive school performance. This study examined the effects
of
a daily report card
procedure designed to increase the completion and accuracy of in-class assignments in
two youngsters described as having a behavioral history
of
difficulty in completing
seat work, a problem commonly encountered in elementary school classes. The use of
the procedure produced immediate significant changes in rates
of
both completion and
accuracy for the two participants
in
the study. Results and problems
of
using the
home-based reinforcement procedure are discussed.
Classroom problems such as disruptive behavior and failure to complete assigned
work traditionally have been difficult problems for teachers to control. Reinforcement
procedures such as token economies and point systems with privilege and item exchanges
have,
in
many cases, provided an answer to such problems (McLaughlin
&
Malaby,
1972a,b). There is substantial research in support of their value (McLaughlin
&
Malaby,
1974). Some drawbacks to the use of these methods, however, are the facts that such
techniques are frequently time consuming, and, therefore, not economical for the
classroom teacher.
A potential solution to this problem lies in the use of home-based reinforcement
procedures. Research into the use
of
home-based reinforcement has demonstrated the
value
of
such procedures. Surrogate “Teaching-Parents,” natural parents, and special
education teachers have been trained successfully to alter behaviors in home environment
settings and classrooms through the administration of contingency management systems
based
in
the home.
In
a study by Christopherson, Arnold, Hill, and Quilitch (1972), two sets of natural
parents were trained to administer a token economy in the home. Subjects were
5
children between the ages
of
5
and
10
from two separate families. Problem behaviors
in-
cluded refusal to help with household chores, inappropriate verbal behavior toward
parents, and bickering between children. In the first family, the children were given
points contingent on the completion of chores. Point fines were levied by parents for
behaviors such as bickering, teasing, and whining. Points could be traded by the children
to purchase licenses that permitted them basic in-home privileges, trips to drive-in
movies,
or
picnics. Data were gathered by the parents.
Results reflected a marked decrease
in
the incidence of undesirable behaviors, such
as whining and bickering, and a significant increase
in
the completion of chores. A
similar point system used
with
the children of the second family produced marked
success
in
helping increase number of chores completed.
Requests
for
reprints should be sent to Barry
M.
Drew, Dept. of Children’s Services,
P.O.
Box
271489,
Tampa,
FL
33688.
540