Acknowledgement Plan
and Matrix
Purpose of
Reinforcers/Acknowledgements
• Teach new behavior
• Encourage/establish infrequent and nonfluent behavior
• Strengthen replacement behaviors that
compete with habitual undesirable behavior
Guidelines for Use of
Reinforcers/Acknowledgements
• Move from
other-delivered to self-delivered
Highly frequent to less frequent
predictable to unpredictable
tangible to social
Components of School-Wide
Acknowledgement Plans
• High frequency/Predictable Acknowledgements
– “Gotchas”, Power Paws, High Fives, positive
referrals/phone calls
• Unexpected/Intermittent Acknowledgements
– boosters, ticket lottery, special
announcement
• Long term Celebrations/Acknowledgements
– assemblies, breakfast/banquet
High Frequency
Acknowledgements
• Way to quickly and easily reinforce when
students meet the expectations; catch them
being good
• Frequent acknowledgements must be tied to the
School-wide expectations
• These acknowledgements must have value (not
necessarily trinkets, emphasize social
opportunities)
High Frequency
Acknowledgements
•
•
•
•
Keep the system simple
Build in opportunities for data collection
Start Small
Emphasize the following:
– The importance of enhancing social skills
– The link between appropriate behavior and academic
success
– The link between SW PBS and other SW initiatives
(e.g., multicultural education & character education)
Adapted from materials shared by the Florida PBS Project
What does doing the
right thing get you? - Example
• In most schools, students
or classrooms collect the
frequent
acknowledgements and
they are “cashed in” for
access to activities,
materials, etc.
• The activities and
materials have to be
meaningful to the
students, so ask them
what they’d like.
• 10-20 PAWS = School
supplies
• 20 PAWS = Homework
Pass
• 30 PAWS = Extra
Recess or Computer
Time
• 40 PAWS = Lunch at
Special Lunch Table
• 50 PAWS = Lunch with
Principal
Unexpected/Intermittent
Acknowledgements
• Special focus on each expectation
• Special focus and increased reinforcement
based on referral data – targeted the problem
areas
• Random Classroom Checks
• Random Drawings for students and staff
• Increased worth of acknowledgements given out
by substitute teachers
Long Term Celebrations
• Bigger Celebrations for which students can save
their frequent acknowledgements to gain access
• Weekly, monthly, marking period, ½ year, end of
year, DSTP
• Examples – Popcorn parties, movies, sporting
events, field trips, dances, games, etc.
Remember to Acknowledge
Staff
• Recognize staff’s participation in the
School-wide PBS program
• Examples:
– Acknowledge staff at faculty meetings for
their efforts in reinforcing students
– Share data about success
– Use positive reinforcement to encourage
staff participation (e.g., staff recognition
system tied to student acknowledgements)
PBS School-Wide Acknowledgement Matrix
TYPE
WHAT
PAWS
High
Frequency
“GOTCHAS”
Unpredictable/
Intermittent
“BOOSTERS”
Postcards
Compliments/
Acknowledgement
Drawings by
grade level
Classroom
Compliments
Celebrations
Marking
Period
Social/
Assemblies
WHEN
Given when
expectations
are met; daily
WHERE
All
building
locations
and bus
Weekly
Collect in
Main Office
Monthly
Collect in
Guidance
Office
End of each
M.P.
Depends
on Event
WHO
All staff;
including
bus drivers,
custodial
staff, etc.
Assistant
Admin
announce
Given by all,
but not to
own class
Students w/ 2 or
fewer referrals &
50 PAWS –
Others attend
booster
Acknowledgement Plan
• Good idea to take the acknowledgement matrix
and write up plan in narrative form – ideally you
can give it to a new staff person or student and
they will understand the process
• Remember to evaluate and change your
acknowledgement plan as needed
• Survey students and staff as needed
• Be creative and have fun!!