ABSTRACT
This chapter details how to successfully develop and implement a schoolwide token economy, an integral component of a positive behavior support (PBS) system. A token economy system (TES) is a cornerstone of a PBS system. A TES offers direct means for school staff to reward and provide positive incentives for students engaged in approved and desirable behaviors. A fundamental understanding of the rationale for selection of a PBS strategy is that PBS systems help children to understand what behavior is expected and then reinforce those desired behaviors as well as aid school staff in maintaining a data-based understanding of why techniques and operations are or are not effective. A token economy system is a set of tangible reinforcements for increasing the frequency of select behaviors while reducing the frequency of others. Tokens, which can come in various forms such as paper tickets, are earned by students for complying with previously taught school and classroom rules.
