Check-In/Check-Out (CICO)

Why should I do it:

• Improves student accountability

• Increases structure

• Improves student behavior and academics when other interventions have failed

• Provides feedback and adult support on a daily basis

• Improves and establishes daily home/school communication and collaboration

• Improves student organization, motivation, incentive, and reward

• Helps a student self monitor and correct

• Internalizes success and accomplishment of goals

• Students get involved and excited about the program, enjoying the structure, support, and incentives of the intervention

• Leads to maintenance free responsible behaviors, habits, and effort

When should I do it:

• When a student has failed to respond to other interventions and general classroom management techniques and interventions

• When a student is competing little to no work

• When a student is not doing homework

• When a student is not participating, being involved, or taking part in the learning process

• When a student has emotional issues, like anxiety, frustration, etc.

• When a student has attention, focus, and impulsivity issues

• When a student has very poor organization

• When a student is exhibiting behavioral problems

• When a student demonstrates low motivation and effort

How do I do it:

• CICO has slight variations from program to program and school to school, but generalized and at its core, this is how to do CICO:

  • A student checks in with a specific adult at the start of the school day. The adult gives the student a point sheet that has the goals the student is working on. The adult speaks briefly with the student, reminding them what they need to focus on or any other things to help the student work toward their goals. The idea is to encourage the student and not say negative comments or cast blame.