Token Economy

A token economy is a system that provides teachers with efficient ways to reinforce appropriate student behavior frequently and immediately without disruption to the classroom or school routine. Token economies have been effective in changing school behavior such as homework completion, noncompliance, aggression, tardies, talkouts, and completing functional skills routines such as food preparation. They are implemented similar to the way our monetary system is run. Students are given tokens for engaging in expected behavior (e.g., completing work, keeping hands and feet to self, using appropriate language, etc.) similar to the way individuals in our society are paid to complete work. These tokens can then be later exchanged for items the student desires such as free time, a piece of candy, extra recess, or other ...