Behavioral and Academic Gains of Conduct Problem Children in Different Classroom Settings

A 2 year research study was completed with conduct problem children who presented severe difficulties in the public school system and were placed in experimental special classrooms. In the first year (1967) the program emphasized the elimination of grossly deviant behaviors and the acquisition of attending behaviors as precursors for academic gain. Program emphasis was changed the second year (1968) to stress rewards for academic performance. Attractive reinforcers were attached to appropriate academic tasks in the context of a highly structured classroom program. A comparison of the academic and behavioral results of the 2 years is presented and discussed.