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Acknowledgement Matrix

Part of an effective Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system, is thinking through how behavior will be acknowledged. By having a very detailed plan, with personnel identified to carry out specific tasks, the school and staff are more likely to acknowledge and reinforce positive behavior.

Look through the following pages to see an example of an Acknowledgement Matrix, an annotated guide that explores elements of the Matrix, and a blank version, if you want to create your own.

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Reinforcer	Criteria	Award	Frequency	Presentation	Dissemination
Scholar Dollars -Individual -Whole class	Behavioral Expectation Matrix -Schoolwide -Classroom	Scholar Dollars are spent in a student store.	When the behavior is demonstrated, tag it.	Presentation of tokens should be matched to the schoolwide and class wide matrices.	All staff, including certified staff, should be sharing praise.
Verbal praise	Behavioral Expectation Matrix -Schoolwide -Classroom	Specific behavior verbal praise statements	Whenever behavior is demonstrated, at a five to one ratio.	All locations that students visit, including the bus.	All staff, including certified staff, should be sharing praise.
Positive feedback to home (e.g. postcards, phone calls)	Behavioral Expectation Matrix -Schoolwide -Classroom	Written/verbal praise	At least one time per week	Phone call Email Written note Postcard Direct digital message	Staff member, who works with the student, shares the communication
Whole school reward	All students in a class or building	Students redeem Scholar Dollars for class or school rewards.	Staff determines this	Whole school or class	Teachers or admin

Acknowledgement Matrix

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Reinforcer	Criteria	Award	Frequency	Presentation	Dissemination
Scholar Dollars -Individual -Whole class	Behavioral Expectation Matrix -Schoolwide -Classroom	Scholar Dollars are spent in a student store.	When the behavior is demonstrated, tag it.	Presentation of tokens should be matched to the schoolwide and class wide matrices.	All staff, including certified staff, should be sharing praise.
Verbal praise	Behavioral Expectation Matrix -Schoolwide -Classroom	Specific behavior verbal praise statements	Whenever behavior is demonstrated, at a five to one ratio.	All locations that students visit, including the bus.	All staff, including certified staff, should be sharing praise.
Positive feedback to home (e.g. postcards, phone calls)	Behavioral Expectation Matrix -Schoolwide -Classroom	Written/verbal praise	At least one time per week	Phone call Email Written note Postcard Direct digital message	Staff member, who works with the student, shares the communication
Whole school reward	All students in a class or building	Students redeem Scholar Dollars for class or school rewards.	Staff determines this	Whole school or class	Teachers or admin

Acknowledgement Matrix

This is your school’s token economy

It is recommended that your expectations are observable and measurable

Look at these No Cost Rewards for Whole School: Elementary & Secondary

Popular timeframes include quarterly or around major breaks.

Click for No Cost Rewards: Elementary and Secondary

Learn more about 5:1 here

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Reinforcer	Criteria	Award	Frequency	Presentation	Dissemination

Acknowledgement Matrix