The Power
of Choice
Behavior Management Program
PURPOSE AND
BACKGROUND
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The Power of Choice is a behavior management program that
puts the principles and practices of Control Theory (Dr. William
Glasser) to work in the classroom.
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The goal of this program is teaching our students how to gain
effective control of their lives through being responsible.
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We teach them how to develop new behaviors that are more
satisfying than the old ones. This is done through the Corrective
Program (Time-out System) and the Growth Program (Level
System).
Key Elements to Control Theory
A prerequisite for successful use of this program is an
understanding of Control Theory

All people are internally controlled and not externally controlled.
We do the things we want to do.
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The brain is the control system. We use it to create and maintain
the best life that we can envision for ourselves.
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Such a life if based on fulfilling the basic psychological needs
that are imprinted in our minds (Survive, Belonging, Fun,
Freedom, Gain Power). They are the reasons for our behavior.
All behavior is purposeful (i.e., directed toward creating and
maintaining a good life).
Behavior is flexible. We choose it according to the situation and
the result that we want. If what we choose doesn’t work, we
make another choice.
Power of Choice Philosophy

Every student has the power to succeed.

Good choices result in positive actions.

Bad choices result in negative consequences.

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Good choices= responsible behavior and are good for
everyone.
Bad choices= irresponsible behavior.
There are many opportunities for fun, belonging,
freedom and power at P224Q.
School Rules

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Do your work
Practice safety
Ask for help
Respect the rights of others
Follow directions
The Point System
•The purpose of the Power of Choice is to
support students in becoming successful at
school, at home and in the community.
•To do this, we have developed a basic point
system to reward appropriate and responsible
behavior.
•Earning points starts when the students arrive
at school. Students continue to earn points
through dismissal.
•Students can earn a maximum of 60 points a
day, including homework.
3 POINTS MAXIMUM FOR
BEHAVIOR
1. Responsible for school rules
2. Mutual Respect
3. Positive social interaction with staff and
peers
3 POINTS MAXIMUM FOR
ACADEMICS
1. Works up to capacity
2. Follows directions
3. Stays on task
Video Clip of reviewing points students choose to earn during
lesson.
The Growth System
The Power of Choice growth system is stratified
as follows:
•Entry level to level 1
•Level 1 to level 2
•Level 2 to level 3
•Level 3 to level 4
•Level 4
Entry Level
All students begin in the Power of Choice
Program on the Entry Level.
When they earn 200 points in five
consecutive days they will earn Level 1.
This means students must earn an average
of 40 points per day.
Level 1
Rewards/Recognition
Once students reach Level 1 status, they will
earn :
•Certificate
•Name on the Power of Choice Bulletin Board
•Bank points
200 points in 5 consecutive days.
An average of 40 points a day.
Level 2
Rewards/Recognition
When students reach Level 2 ,they will
earn:
 Certificate
 Name on the Power of Choice Bulletin
Board
 Bank Points
 Redeem points for special privileges
(ex. coupons for homework, lunch with teacher, extra
gym, etc.)
 Clubs
450 points in 10 consecutive days.
An average of 45 points a day.
Level 3
When students have earned 750 points in 15 days, they
will have the opportunity to APPLY for Level 3 status.
This means students must earn an average of 50 points
per day.
They must demonstrate satisfactory bus behavior, early
morning behavior, completion of homework assignments
and regular attendance.
Applications for Level 3 must be approved by all of
the student’s teachers and administration in
order to achieve Level 3 status.
If Level 3 Application is not approved,
the student will have:
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5 days to correct the behavior that is
preventing them from earning Level 3
status.
If, after 5 days, behavior has been
corrected, Level 3 status will be granted.
If behavior has not improved, student will
return to Level 2, Day 1.
All points earned will be banked.
When students reach
Level 3 they will earn:
•Certificate
•Name on the Power of Choice Bulletin board
•Bank Points
•Redeem points for special privileges (ex. Coupons for
homework, lunch with teachers, extra gym)
•Special Events/Clubs
•Level 3 trips
•School service/paid in points
750 points in 15 consecutive days.
An average of 50 points a day.
LEVEL 4
When students earn 1,100 points in 20 days, they will
be eligible to APPLY for Level 4 status.
This means students need to earn an average of 55
points per day.
The guidelines for earning Level 4 status will be the
same as those mentioned under Level 3.
If the application for Level 4 is not approved, the
student will have 5 days to correct the behavior which
is preventing them from earning Level 4 status.
If not corrected, they will continue on level 3 for an
additional 15 days.
When students reach
Level 4, they will earn:
•Certificate
•Name on the Power of Choice Bulletin
board
•Bank Points
•Redeem points for special privileges (ex. Coupons
for homework, lunch with teachers, extra gym)
•Special Events/Clubs
•Level 4 trips
•School service/paid in points
•The privilege of being in the hall with permission,
but unescorted (Level 4 Badge will be provided).
Freeze
•Level 3 must maintain an average of 50 points a day.
•Level 4 must maintain an average of 55 points a day.
•If either a level 3 or 4 student is consistently
experiencing difficulty and is not earning and the
necessary number of points, they will be placed on a 5
day freeze sheet.
•While on a freeze, all privileges will be suspended.
•If during the 5 days freeze the student is not able to
maintain the average daily points for that level, they will
drop to the previous level.
TIME-OUT SYSTEM
Time out is the way students retrain themselves or
regain control of their behavior in order to rejoin
their classmates in school activities.
It’s purpose is to help students develop a specific
plan for more responsible and successful behavior.
Students will continue to choose a time-out situation
until they write or verbalize a plan for returning to
class activities.
This plans includes the student’s statement of the
irresponsible behavior which they chose, the rule
which was broken and what they must do to change
their behavior in order to return to school activities.
WHEN YOU CHOOSE
A TIME-OUT
You can not earn points.
There are four types of time-outs at P224Q:
•Time-out
•Time-out
•Time-out
•Time-out
1
2
3
4
TIME-OUT 1
A student will choose a Time-Out 1
situation when they refuse to follow the
verbal warnings of classroom staff.
This Takes place in the classroom and
can be a verbal or written plan for
rejoining the class activity.
TIME-OUT 2
If the student continues to choose
disruptive behavior, they will be
choosing Time-Out 2.
The student will be given another
opportunity in class to write a plan with
the assistance of the teacher or
paraprofessional.
TIME-OUT 3
If the student refuses to do the Time-out 2 plan and causes a disruption
that interferes with the teacher’s opportunity to teach or other student's
“right” to learn, they are choosing Time-Out 3.
They will have an opportunity to complete a plan of action that will enable
them to rejoin their classmates. They must remain in Time-Out 3 until
they complete a plan.
This plan may be developed in the Planning Center. While in the Planning
Center, the student will be separated from classmates and all regular
school activates. They will be supervised by appropriate school staff.
If a student chooses to run out of their classroom, they will be choosing
an automatic Time-Out 3.
If a student chooses Time-Out 3; three times in five days, they give up
any privileges you may have earned (clubs/spending points).
Remember:
NO POINTS CAN BE EARNED WHEN YOU CHOOSE TIME-OUT
TIME-OUT 4
Time-Out 4 is for a major behavioral incident
which presents a clear and present danger or
injury to a student or school personnel, or
significant damage to the building.
It is extraordinary behavior of a deliberately
disruptive or assaultive nature.
If a student chooses Time-Out 4, they will be
placed on what is the equivalent to an InSchool Suspension.
They will be in a separate room and will not
participate in the daily activities of the school.
TIME-OUT 4
•Work will be assigned by the teacher for each
day the student is in Time-out 4.
•No points are earned while in Time-Out 4.
•Work and behavior must be satisfactory for the
student to be returned to a Power of Choice
class.
•Student does not lose the points that have
earned prior to an In-School Suspension.
•Loss of Level Status to be determined by the
administrator.
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
PLAN
The Individual Assistance Plan (IAP) is developed by the
student, parent/guardian, classroom teacher, school
administrator and counselor.
Specific behavioral goals and consequences will be
designed to modify the student’s behaviors which have
been interfering with school success.
This procedure is utilized for students who have
repeatedly chosen
Time-Out 3 or Time-Out 4 or who are not progressing
through the level system.