Class-Wide (Universal)
​Evidence-Based Interventions

Class-wide strategies or interventions are implemented to promote a sense of class community in working towards a common goal and as a prevention strategy for off-task behavior. With group contingencies, points are awarded to or removed from groups/teams of students based on the actions of individual team members. In addition, “Teachers may find group contingencies preferable because they are less demanding of time and effort than individualized contingencies and interventions and can address the behavior of all students in a classroom” (Flower, et al., 2014, pp. 47-48).
A benefit of the class-wide strategy is that all students may participate, not only the students needing behavior support (Kraemer, Davies, Arndt, & Hunley, 2012), and that such involvement is enjoyable and motivating for students. In addition, teachers report using the class-wide intervention allows them to focus more on instruction than behavior.

It is recommended that the intervention be applied to one class/subject at a time, and then gradually added to other times throughout the day, so as not to overwhelm teachers and students, and in order to sustain the intervention and maintain fidelity of implementation.

Good Behavior Game

Teams receive points by displaying the appropriate behavior and receive a “foul” if an individual within the team displays the identified inappropriate behavior.

Get ‘Em on Task

When the sound goes off, the teacher identifies students by name who are off-task, and instructs them to mark an X on their individual score cards. A chart is created to identify and track daily behaviors. If appropriate behaviors are demonstrated, the corresponding space on the chart is selected, which may show a Mystery Motivator symbol, whereby a prize is selected from a menu of options.

Mystery Motivator

A chart is created to identify and track daily behaviors. If appropriate behaviors are demonstrated, the corresponding space on the chart is selected, which may show a Mystery Motivator symbol, whereby a prize is selected from a menu of options.
Marin County SELPA commissioned Dominican University of California’s Department of Special Education to identify evidence-based behavioral practices to support students, teachers, and local schools. In particular, the task was to identify positive, evidence-based classroom practices leading to academic and behavioral success.  
​Dominican University of California is located in Marin County and offers graduate programs that culminate in a Master of Science (MS) in Education degree. These programs are designed for educators and other professionals who are interested in teaching and seek preparation for leadership roles and responsibilities