EVALUATION OF THE BOYS TOWN MOTIVATION SYSTEM IN A US SCHOOL SETTING

A comprehensive classroom behavior management program, the Boy's Town System (BTS), was evaluated in a US school setting. The BTS was used i n four programs for emotionally/behaviorally disturbed (EBD) students. Two other EBD programs served as control groups. Academic performance was measured using the Three R's Achievement Test and curriculum base d assessment. Teacher ratings of student behavior were gathered using the Conners Rating Scale and the Social Skills Scale. Independent obse rvers collected data regarding on-task behavior. In addition, consumer satisfaction information was gathered. The results indicated that the re were significant post-treatment differences between groups in on-ta sk behavior. In addition, consumer satisfaction data indicated that te achers were generally satisfied with the use of the BTS. No difference s, however, were found in academic performance or teacher ratings of s tudent behavior. These results provide some initial empirical support for the use of the BTS.