District reviews 'Bloom Bucks' digital rewards pilot to boost attendance and behavior for students with intervention plans

Montgomery Public Schools staff and a LeapFrog Digital LLC representative presented a proposal on April 14 for "K‑12 Bloom Bucks," a district pilot that would use a digital rewards platform to incentivize attendance and positive behavior among students with Behavior Intervention Plans.

The presenter described Bloom Bucks as a positive‑reinforcement, PowerSchool‑integrated system that allows teachers to create 'quests' and enter students into monthly attendance drawings. The platform includes a digital store and an outstanding-attendance module that can award up to $100 per month per school through drawings and individual awards. The proposal timeline presented was an 18‑month activation beginning June 1, 2026 and running through Dec. 31, 2027.

Ms. Jackson, representing LeapFrog Digital, said the project targets a 10% increase in attendance among participating students and a 25% reduction in behavioral incidents for that population. She also explained implementation supports: teacher coaching, PBIS/MTSS coaching, dashboard tracking and parental controls for purchases by children under 13.

Board members asked whether the program would be limited to special education; staff clarified the platform is intended for any student with an active behavior intervention plan, which can include students on 504 plans who remain in general education. In the presentation, Ms. Jackson said initial district funding was expected from internal Race Act funds but that Representative Tishina Mars had committed to covering the pilot via a state grant.

No final contract vote was taken; the board requested further information on vendor contracts, the scope of awards, and long‑term funding if the pilot is successful.