Behavior Contract

A behavior contract works best when it's simple, positive, and built on what genuinely motivates the student, not just a list of rules with a consequence attached. This template makes that agreement concrete: student, teacher/staff, and parent/caregiver (when applicable) all put their name to the same goals, the same support strategies, and the same plan for recognizing progress.

The contract has five sections:

• Agreement Overview: names the student, teacher/staff, and parent/caregiver involved, along with a start date and review date
• Goal(s): one or two specific, observable behaviors the student will work on, framed positively and set at an achievable level
• Strategies to Support Success: what the student, teacher, and caregiver will each do to help the student meet the goal
• Reinforcement: what the student earns if the goal is met, and what happens if it isn't
• Signatures: student, teacher/staff, and parent/caregiver all sign and date, formalizing it as a shared commitment rather than something handed down to the student

The form includes a built-in reminder worth taking seriously: reinforcers should match what actually motivates this student, not just default to tangible rewards. Examples on the form include things like playing a game with a teacher, having lunch with a peer, drawing time, a homework pass, or extra recess.

Download the Behavior Contract

In Behavior Advantage: Use the Reinforcement Inventories or 20 Creative Conversation Starters to identify motivators worth building into the "if goals are met" section.