Christin Williams

Education 650

Standard Activity 10.42B

Change Process

At East Bank Middle School we implemented a new positive behavior reward system last

year. We called this “Making Change at the Bank!” This was implemented due to the large

amount of behavior and discipline referrals we have at the school. This incentive was created by

the Assistant Principal (he handles discipline), a couple of other teachers, and myself over the

summer last year in order shine a light on students that follow rules, come to school, and provide

a good example to other students.

With Making Change at the Bank, students that have not had any discipline referrals,

been suspended during that month, and had overall good classroom behavior were permitted to

attend an assembly at the end of the month. During the month faculty and staff would give out

“Bank Bucks” to students that were doing the right thing without being told, or even to students

that may have had a good day compared to other days. These “bucks” would go into drawings

for prizes during the assembly. Prizes varied depending on what we had donated or were able to

purchase for the month. After the assembly portion, students would compete as grade levels in

games to gain points and bragging rights. After the games, we would then play music and allow

students to socialize and dance with their friends.

When I verbally surveyed students and staff members there were mostly positive remarks

made. The overwhelming suggestion made by the students was to have “better prizes.” This is a

variable that can be easily controlled. I would recommend having a discussion with students

about prizes and surveying them to see what the would like to have, obviously with cost effective

and school appropriate stipulations. Some teachers love the idea, while others provided the
constructive criticism that we need to have more organization and different activities each

month, rather than talking, prizes, games, and dancing every time.

Making Change at the Bank seems to have been beneficial to the students and staff. The

first year provided us with insight as to what students and teachers liked and disliked. Going into

our second year of Making Change at the Bank, I feel that there are adjustments to be made in

implementing a bigger, and better Making Change initiative. More organization and better prizes

are definitely things that need to be looked into. Having scheduled, formal meetings with those

that helped create the initial plan would provide more in-depth conversations on how to improve

these circumstances.