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What works for school discipline?
What works for school discipline?
The U.S. Department of Education has published a guidance document for improving school climate and discipline. In response, Child Trends has releaseda new research brief on school discipline that provides five "things to know" and links to research evidence on various supports and policies. The brief considers, among other issues, the evidence supporting the use of zero tolerance policies.This 2011 research brief found that there was a lack of rigorous research, but existing case studies and analyses of suspension and expulsion data suggest that zero tolerance policies are not deterring misbehavior. In contrast, non-punitive programs that take a largely preventive approach to school discipline have been found to keep students and schools safe by reducing the need for harsh discipline. These programs include targeted behavioral supports for students who are at risk for violent behavior, character education programs, or positive behavioral interventions and supports that are introduced across a school.
Johns Hopkins University
Research in Brief
News Blast
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Robert. B. Vellani, PhD on
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This is an area of interest. I am very involved in promoting and enhancing school culture. It's all part of my essential question to all education stakeholders (students, teachers, parents) how do you do school? "Doing school" is a verb. I made a PPT slide from the Child Trends (point 5) that offers a simplified chart to track how to organize and think about school culture and its diverse stakeholders.
I'm currently reading Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges are Falling through the Cracks and How can We Help them, by Ross Greene.
His central idea is that Kids do well if they can and not Kids do well if they want to. He argues, correctly I believe, that all kids want to do well, but some simply need more support in learning the social, emotional, behavioral skills necessary. I have long believed that "zero tolerance" or compelling kids to behave and conform went the way of the Dodge Pacer. The structure of feelings (pace Raymond Williams) surrounding authority has shifted so drastically among children and adults. ( Boomer brethren out there: Can you remember your parents ever taking a "mental health day" ?)
I've been reading some other interesting work about restorative justice programs in schools.
If you're reading or have read Lost at School, I'd love to hear from you.
bob
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