Changing on-task behavior of three students using Assertive Discipline and CLASS

Many student behaviors interfere with schools' primary function--teaching academic and social skills. In response, teachers use behavior management programs to improve learning environments and help students assume responsibility for their behaviors. This study examined the effectiveness of two commercially available programs designed to increase on-task behaviors of frequently off-task students. Under the Assertive Discipline (AD) program, students demonstrated low on-task behavior rates. Under Contingencies for Learning Academic and Social Skills (CLASS) program, students showed high on-task behavior rates. These results seem to indicate that CLASS' focus on positive classroom behaviors, peer support, and student self-reinforcement helps teachers improve on-task behaviors as compared to Assertive Discipline.