Activity: Lead/Work with others to develop/implement an incentive plan for student

behavior and/or attendance.

Description: The administrator created a committee for student incentives, and I was the
chairperson. The committee consisted of one first grade teacher, two second-grade
teachers, and one teacher from third, fourth, and fifth grade. All teachers were veteran
teachers. The committee created a plan to address student achievement, attitude, and
attendance. We met several times at the beginning of the school year to create the plan,
decide on the incentives, the awards that would be presented, and how we would use the
budget we were given.
What went well?
At the beginning of the school year, we created a committee that consisted of teachers
who were interested in student incentives. During our first meeting we discussed ideas to
address achievement, attitude, and attendance of students in kindergarten through fifth
grades. We decided that we would create a club that all students could be eligible for. It
would be called the AAA club. We then set the expectations for the club, which were as
follows:
Grades K-2 must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the AAA Club:

All 3s and 4s on the report card (each 9 weeks)

Grades 3-5 must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the AAA Club:

All As and Bs on the report card (each 9 weeks)

All students (grades K-5) must have perfect attendance (no absences or tardies), and
perfect behavior in all areas of the building. After this meeting, we shared the ideas with
our grade levels, and everyone was on board for the incentive plan. Then we met again to
discuss the rewards that students would receive each 9 weeks. We decided that we would
do small parties at the end of each 9 weeks, and only the AAA Club students were
allowed to attend. The parties consisted of ice cream, movie and popcorn, dance party,
and a kickball party. These were all things we were sure the students would enjoy. The
items that we would need for each party would be bought with the money we had in our
committee budget, as well as donated from local community resources. Each student

would also be recognized at the awards ceremonies each 9 weeks. We shared this
information with teachers and asked for any input or suggestions to make the incentive
program even better, for students of all ages. During our next meeting, we created a
parent flyer that would be sent home with every child. The flyer would tell the parents
about the incentive program, and also include the details of the parties.
What did not go well?
After meeting with the committee, asking for input from other teachers, and sending
home the parent flyer, we were well into our first semester. We were coming up on the
end of the first semester, when I suggested to all teachers to send home a parent note
telling them that his/her child will be awarded a AAA Club member for the first 9 weeks.
After sending these messages home, the emails and calls flooded in. There were
concerned parents regarding the guidelines for the AAA Club. They were mostly
concerned about the absences part of the program. Parents voiced their concern about the
current flu season, as well as other health related issues that were causing students to miss
school. They wanted us to update the plan for our program so that it allowed students will
excused absences to be included. I met with the administrator, and she pretty much said,
Give them what they want. After meeting with the committee, and talking with other
teachers, this really confused the process of what we were trying to do with our incentive
program. However, we allowed those students to be included in the AAA club party for
the first 9 weeks.
Given the change to do it again, how would you do it better?
First and foremost, I think this committee should have met and discussed options prior to
the beginning of school. We could have created options, presented them to the faculty,
and then to the parents at Open House. Some of the other issues could have been
eliminated if I would have also included a parent representative, and even student
representatives, to our committee. This way all voices are heard when making decisions
regarding the student incentive program. Then, if the same problems occurred, I would
send a parent letter home explaining to parents that we have had some issues with the
incentive program, and we would not have the AAA Club for the first 9 weeks. I would

explain that we are taking a step back, reevaluating the program, and discussing how we
could make this program beneficial and effective for all students. Finally, after the
reevaluation, we would send home parent letters with the new plan, and ask parents to
respond with any questions or concerns they may have.