This digest explores some of the reasons for spanking, examines its effectiveness, and suggests alternative discipline methods. Many parents believe that spanking will teach children not to do things that are forbidden, stop them quickly when they are being irritating, and encourage them to do what they should. Others believe nonphysical forms of…

This study investigated state policy, court litigation, and accreditation standards with respect to the use of time-out as a behavior management strategy in special education programs. The study's emphasis was on existing standards concerning the use of locked time-out rooms and student supervision requirements during the application of time-out.…

Lack of proper discipline in schools has long been a major concern of the public. Proposals on how to improve discipline have ranged from the bizarre to the cruel. Educators and administrators must devise alternative punishments to replace traditional methods, such as corporal punishment, suspension, and expulsion, that are frequently ineffective.…

Focusing on failure experiences, two studies explored the attributions of self-blame and responsibility and the motivational patterns of avoidance and increased diligence in elementary and middle school students. In the first study, 298 third through sixth grade students and 396 sixth through eighth grade students completed a self-report…

This Boys' Town paper for parents examines the reactive aggression of children who respond aggressively to what they view as provocation. The paper differentiates between reactive and proactive aggression by presenting examples of each. Factors that can increase aggression in families are noted, including punishment acceleration, crossover,…

This brochure is intended to inform parents and teachers about the nature of bullying and ways to address the problem. Questions answered in the brochure are: (1) "what is bullying?"; (2) "how extensive is bullying?"; (3) "what are some characteristics of bullying?"; (4) "what are some characteristics of victims?"; (5) "what are some consequences…

This paper provides an overview of the effects of otitis media on the learning and behavior of children and youth. It begins by describing the conductive hearing loss that is caused by otitis media and the classroom behavior that can result, including poor concentration and attention, disobedience, irritability, and poor social skills. Discussed…

This guide is designed to assist educators in meeting behavior challenges by focusing on four key areas that impact significantly on behavior in schools: (1) communication: the process of making one's feelings and opinions known to others and discovering the feelings and opinions of others; (2) expectations: the academic, behavioral, attitudinal,…

This booklet presents information designed to help teachers and parents of preschool children establish desirable behaviors and eliminate inappropriate behaviors. Several terms relating to behavior management are defined. Three types of behavior which must be discriminated, and appropriate responses to these types of behavior, are listed: (1)…

The Mental Retardation-Expert (MR-E) is a microcomputer based expert decision support system that provides practitioners with state of the art assistance in the treatment of aggressive, self injurious, and destructive behaviors displayed by individuals with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. This system, based on human experts and…

Between 1988 and 1990, nearly 14,000 American Indian and Alaska Native adolescents living in rural areas and on reservations participated in the Adolescent Health Survey of health and risk behaviors. Although the findings may not be representative of Native adolescents, as a convenience sample was used, some findings of the survey were: (1) less…

The series of articles on parenting compiled in this book bridges the gap between educational theory and the everyday problems parents must deal with. The book's perspective encourages parents to be gentle, flexible, observant, and not too attached to expectations. The first chapter, "Surviving Parenthood," discusses topics such as…

The practicum addressed the problem of student teachers' inadequacy in managing out-of-control children in the elementary classroom. The objectives were to conduct: (1) an in-service program on six factors that contribute to out-of-control behavior; and (2) an in-service program on the techniques for managing the out-of-control child. Techniques…

One of a series of practitioner-oriented newsletters, the document provides elementary school principals with strategies for developing a school discipline code. The article recommends: (1) developing a written statement of school discipline policy; (2) launching the discipline policy at the beginning of the school year; (3) ensuring that…

This project studied the factor structure of the Behavior Problem Checklist, determined the extent to which factors generated from children in regular classrooms approximated those from children in special education, and examined the effects of class placement, sex, and the interaction of these variables on the average rating children receive.…