Michael Hand maintains that punishment is necessary for school children to insure compliance with the important rules -- those he calls moral and scholastic. I make three arguments against this position: First, Hand fails to separate the sorts of behaviors legitimately classified as interfering with teaching and learning from more trivial rules,…

Increasing efforts have been made in the field of special education to identify positive, evidence-based practices (EBPs) to meet the needs of students who engage in problem behavior, with a major goal being to eliminate or limit the use of reactive measures such as restraint and seclusion (Snell & Walker, 2014). Various stakeholders,…

The current policy terrain is primed for schools to absorb new discipline strategies and address bias-based beliefs. Over the past 10 years, numerous policy changes regarding discipline have emerged at the federal and state levels. I argue these policy shifts, primarily at the state level, are using two of four value levers (quality, efficiency,…

Michael George's career has focused on children and youth with significant behavior and emotional challenge. His career has spanned experiences as a direct service provider, university professor, and teacher trainer. George has led an effort to provide competent and caring teachers to a population who greatly need such teachers. George shares his…

Poverty has always been a problem in the United States and no doubt the condition unfortunately will always prevail. Title One schools will always have children enrolled who come from the lower socioeconomic class. This article has to do with the devastating effect of poverty, including stories from a classroom teacher of students who lived in…

Over the past 25 years, Gallup polls have consistently reported that disruptive behavior and discipline problems are some of the top concerns of school staff and community members. In fact, problems with classroom management are among the most common reasons that teachers leave their jobs. In response, many schools are turning to more formal…

This paper interrogates the relationship between the social distance men have from children, fear, and the social expectation that men will be capable of managing student (mis)behaviours. Briefly, the central argument is that the social distance men, as a group, have from children, and child protection concerns of men working with children can…

This article describes 12 major components--grouped into philosophical, organizational, and operational categories--that should be included in planning and initiating an effective school discipline system. (Author/JW)

Five criteria useful in evaluating any discipline model will help evaluators make sense of a complex issue. Discipline policies should be philosophically sound, pedagogically defensible, psychologically appropriate, pragmatically feasible, and professionally evaluated. (TE)

Those who accept some responsibility for the young owe it to them to search for alternatives to punishment as a means of assisting the progress of their education. Alternatives are discussed. For example, one appropriate alternative is the separation of children from particular environments where they do not do well. (RM)

The effectiveness claims for Assertive Discipline made by Lee Canter and other advocates are not supported by the limited research that has been conducted in the program's 12 years of existence. (Author/TE)

Seven articles discuss such aspects of student management as teacher liability; behavior on field trips; management of special needs students; effects of boredom, immaturity, and personal problems; using an escalation plan; and the 4-F principle--firm, fair, functional, fun. (SK)

The considerable gap between educational policy regarding discipline techniques and the reality of the classroom is explored. (LH)

Eight theme articles discuss discipline in the classroom, including a definition of student management, ways to recognize and ward off problems, and how to cope. (JOW)

Ways to maintain classroom discipline are discussed, including examples of problems and causes; factors that affect behavior; classroom management techniques; a behavior code; and survival tips for teachers and student teachers. (LB)