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An Evaluation of a Classwide Intervention Package Involving Self-Management and a Group Contingency on Classroom Behavior of Middle School Students

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Abstract

The effectiveness of an intervention package involving self-management and a group contingency at increasing appropriate classroom behaviors was evaluated in a sample of middle school students. Participants included all students in each of the 3 eighth-grade general education classrooms and their teachers. The intervention package included strategies recommended as part of best practice in classroom management to involve both building skill (self-management) and reinforcing appropriate behavior (group contingency). Data sources involved assessment of targeted behaviors using Direct Behavior Rating—single item scales completed by students and systematic direct observations completed by external observers. Outcomes suggested that, on average, student behavior moderately improved during intervention as compared to baseline when examining observational data for off-task behavior. Results for Direct Behavior Rating data were not as pronounced across all targets and classrooms in suggesting improvement for students. Limitations and future directions, along with implications for school-based practitioners working in middle school general education settings, are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

Preparation of this article was supported in part by a grant from the Institute for Education Sciences, US Department of Education (R324B060014).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, University of Connecticut, U-2064, Storrs, CT, 06269-2064, USA

    Sandra M. Chafouleas, Lisa M. Hagermoser Sanetti, Rose Jaffery & Lindsay M. Fallon

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  1. Sandra M. Chafouleas
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  2. Lisa M. Hagermoser Sanetti
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  3. Rose Jaffery
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  4. Lindsay M. Fallon
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Correspondence to Sandra M. Chafouleas.

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Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position of the US Department of Education, and such endorsements should not be inferred.

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Chafouleas, S.M., Hagermoser Sanetti, L.M., Jaffery, R. et al. An Evaluation of a Classwide Intervention Package Involving Self-Management and a Group Contingency on Classroom Behavior of Middle School Students. J Behav Educ 21, 34–57 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-011-9135-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10864-011-9135-8

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