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The High Road Schools teachers use
positive reinforcement as the primary tool for shaping
student’s behavior. Our dialogue in the classroom
is always framed positively using terms like “Good
job,” “Thank you for listening,” and
“I appreciate you following directions.”
The teachers reward students for positive behaviors and
academic achievement through a variety of rewards and
incentives. These rewards and incentives are designed
to promote positive behaviors in the school environment
while at the same time are in effect to demote negative
behaviors. Students who may be having difficulties will
see the positive rewards and incentives that others may
be earning; this often leads to students increasing their
positive behaviors in an attempt to earn the same positive
rewards. Examples of these incentives are earning High
Road dollars to be spent at the school store, for meals
and snacks, and spend-out. Each student has an individualized
checkbook in which they can earn money for their point
sheet level, student jobs in the school, and as behavioral
incentives. High Road dollars are the form of payment
into the checkbook; these dollars do equate to actual
money, not partial dollars, so that they students can
better understand the value of the token monies. Spend
out is an opportunity for students to be able to “cash
out” their checkbook by taking a field trip to a
local mall or store and use the money from their checkbook
to buy items of interest to them such as clothing, music,
or games.
Other incentives include educational and exciting field
trips, classroom lunch parties, and activities based on
behavioral levels, such as watching a movie or playing
games on Friday afternoon for Blue Level students. Immediate,
positive reinforcement is also used in order to reward
students for positive behaviors. Examples of such reinforcements
are snacks and candy, free time when assignments are completed,
and playing games with peers and staff. Student recognition
for positive behaviors is also a key factor in promoting
successful behaviors in school. A few ways in which High
Road staff members employ student recognition are certificates
of achievement, medals, and prizes. Gift certificates
are also given for positive recognition to students to
the school store, meals, and local stores in the community.
Another way that staff promotes positive behaviors is
by implementing fun and exciting social activities in
which the students participate. Such activities could
include sleepover parties, sporting events, and friendly
competitions and games.
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What makes High Road different, and what
sets them apart from other schools, is that they care.
High Road gives these kids the caring and the nurturing
they need to achieve success and excel in life.”
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