Inspired by an emotionally disturbed youngster impossible to discipline, one elementary school instituted a discipline policy providing humane and positive methods for managing most children's behavior. The primary goal is to alert children to wrongdoing using a ticketing system and to recognize good behavior through an honors policy. (MLH)

When positive reinforcement is used consistently, it encourages desirable or appropriate behavior, although modifying or extinguishing undesirable behavior. Descriptive reinforcement involves using the student's name, choosing the appropriate praise words, and describing what the student did to merit praise. A box contains 110 examples. (MLH)

Some practices intended to foster self-esteem may instead contribute to self-preoccupation. Self-esteem is fostered when children have opportunities to build self-confidence through effort, persistence, and acquisition of skills, knowledge, and appropriate behavior. Rather than overpraise children, teachers should treat them with respect, solicit…

Many youngsters need help in learning to deal with their anger, despair, and frustrations. Punishment forces compliance, rather than encouraging students to take responsibility for their own behavior. Punishment works best when used occasionally and when behavior rules and guidelines have been developed with student input. Routine use of…

In 1987, a Dallas (Texas) elementary school principal developed a Writing to Read to the Principal program to motivate students' mastery of reading and writing in a school where over 80 percent of the students are economically disadvantaged. The program has strengthened the bond among students, parents, teachers, and the principal. Includes six…

Neither teachers nor supervisors benefit from poor evaluation methods. Effective evaluation ultimately depends on the presence of open trust and communication within an organization. "Drive-by" shooting evaluations are often poorly disguised attempts to weed out a faculty member by confronting that person with virtually nothing but negative…

When parent-teacher conferences don't improve a problem student's behavior, a systematic change strategy is needed. Daily report cards are effective if they divide the day into segments, provide evaluations for each segment, feature increasingly demanding goals, provide parent reinforcement, use mild punishment, and accrue reinforcement rewards. A…