Rewards are often central to effective school interventions.
Jim's Hints
When Choosing Rewards, Apply the '3 Tests': Choosing rewards to use as incentives for a student intervention may seem simple and straightforward. A reinforcer, however, probably will not be successful unless it passes three important tests:
- Acceptability Test. Does the teacher approve of using the reinforcer with this child? Are parent(s) likely to approve the use of the reinforcer with their child?
- Availability Test. Is the reinforcer typically available in a school setting? If not, can it be obtained with little inconvenience and at a cost affordable to staff or parents?
- Motivation Test. Does the child find the reinforcer to be motivating?