Final answer:
A behavior contract is a written agreement between a student and teacher outlining expected performance and consequences, based on operant conditioning principles devised by B. F. Skinner to reinforce desired behaviors with meaningful rewards.
Step-by-step explanation:
A written agreement between a student and teacher that outlines the expected performance and the consequences of reinforcers used is called a behavior contract. This approach is based on operant conditioning, a form of learning where behavior is shaped by rewards (reinforcers) or consequences (punishers). In the context of education, positive reinforcement can be highly effective. For example, paying students to read books and pass quizzes, as with the second-grade students in Dallas, has shown to significantly increase reading comprehension. B. F. Skinner, a proponent of operant conditioning, believed in rewarding small steps in learning to motivate students. A behavior contract can be seen as a practical application of these principles, aiming to reinforce desired behaviors through agreed-upon rewards that are meaningful to the student.