Assertive discipline

AssumptionsStudents must be forced to comply with rulesStudents cannot be expected to determine appropriate classroom rules and follow themPunishment will cause students to avoid bad behavior and engage in good classroom behavior

More assumptionsGood behavior can also be encouraged by positive reinforcementFor proper classroom management, parents and school administrators msut help to enforce rules.

Lee Canter-Child guidance specialistEstablished an organization called Canter and AssociatesProvides training for teachers who want to become more assertive in their teachinghttp://www.canter.net

Assertive disciplineEmphasizes punishing unacceptable behaviorsProviding reinforcement for behaviors that are acceptable to teachers

Canter believed that teachers generally ignored their own needs in the classroom in favor or satisfying the students needs.

Misconceptions according the Canter

Teachers should be able to handle discipline problems without help

Firm discipline will be harmful to children and cause psychological harm (or disrupt the student teacher rapport)

Misconceptions according the Canter

Discipline problems do not persist when students are provided with activities that satisfy their needs

Misbehavior has causes over which teachers have no influence

Canter believes these misconceptions lead us to discipline students in wishy-washy waysThis leads to other problems

To combat the problemsTeachers need to change their indecisive approaches Insist that their own rights as a teacher are met

Teacher rightsTo establish classroom rules and procedures that produce optimum learning environmentsTo insist on behavior from students that meets the teachers desiresTo insist on behavior that leads to positive social development

More teacher rightsTo insist on behavior that leads to the educational development of studentsThe right to receive help from administratorsThe right to receive help from parents

Steps in the processStep 1. Create positive student teacher relationshipsDiscipline procedures should be applied fairly to everyoneTeacher must model what trust and respoct look likeTeachers must instruct students in the procedures expected

Step 2 Establish rules or expectationsUsually 5 or 6 rulesTeachers makes the rulesRules satisfy the teachers needsCommunicate the rulesPosterNames on the board with check marks to indicate the degree of the punishment

Step 3. Tracking the misbehavior is importantTracking should be privateNegative consequences should be predetermined and applied strictly according to plan.

Four methods to request compliance1. HintsEveryone should be working.2. QuestionWould you please get to work?3. I messageI want you to open your books and get to work.4. DemandGet to work now.

Methods to make the requests work more efficientlyEye contactUse hand gesturesUse student names when making requestsUse physical touch if appropriate

Broken record techniqueRepeat the demands several times if the students ignore you or object to request or argue with it

Step 4. Use negative consequences to enforce limitsTime outWithdrawing a privilegeDetentionSend to principals officeCall parentsSend them to another class

Do not issue threatsFollow through with what ever you say you re going to doSome teachers have made recodings of the misbehaviors

Step 5. Implement a system of positive consequencesLess systematic than the negative consequencesCan usePersonal attention from the teacherPositive notes to calls to parentsAwardsSpecial privilegesGroup rewards