The effect of choice on the behavior of off task high school students in an alternative school setting

This study was done to examine the effect of choice on off task behaviors in high school students attending an alternative school. The participants were from various backgrounds, ability levels, and presence of disabilities. The students were observed performing three target behaviors; specifically talking off topic, being out of a seat needlessly, and being out of the classroom. This was initiated during a baseline observation period, and again over a five day period after being introduced to the choice process. The alternative activities from which they chose were lesson extensions, educational puzzles or reading material, or classroom jobs. This was done to hypothetically redirect misbehaviors into more productive activities. Thirteen of the sixteen student participants decreased their off task behaviors when using choice plan. They substituted educational activities that kept them on task. Overall, the choice plan reduced off task behaviors in students surveyed. Specifically, talking off topic and being out of the room were reduced while being out of a seat increased slightly