The Use of Goal Setting and Contingency Contracting for Improving Children's Homework Performance

We examined the effects of goal setting and contingency contracting on children's homework performance. Subjects were 4 parent-child dyads in which the child exhibited substantial homework problems. Using a combination of multiple baseline and reversal (ABAB) designs, goal setting and contingency contracting produced significant improvements in children's homework accuracy. Two of the 4 subjects showed substantial improvements in on-task behavior. Consumer satisfaction with the procedures was supported by parent ratings conducted posttreatment.