An ethnographic study was conducted in an elementary school in order to understand the relationship between teacher behavior and the environments of classes identified by teachers as their "worst." First, research on teacher behaviors was reviewed to identify a set of factors identifiable with effective and ineffective teaching. Ten dimensions of…

Reports the methods and results of two studies on the successful application of reality therapy (RT) to classroom discipline problems. Results indicate RT is an effective humanizing approach for solving problems. (Author)

Explores the effects of a proactive school-wide discipline approach on the frequency of problem behavior displayed by elementary students. Study was designed to explore the impact of a social skill instruction program and direct intervention on problem behaviors in three school settings (cafeteria, recess, and hallway transition). Results indicate…

Describes benefits of small classes based on 28 years of experience as elementary teacher. Includes establishing a successful classroom community, more time for students, fewer discipline problems, personalized assessment, and more opportunity to use best teaching practices. (PKP)

Analyzes student disciplinary office referrals across a three year period at two urban elementary schools. Results indicate both a stable rate of disciplinary referral school years, and a high and stable rate of recidivism within a school year. Referrals can be compiled into a database to provide useful information about emerging patterns of…

Outcomes of an inschool suspension program implemented at a New England elementary school are described in this practicum report. Because out-of-school suspension may place children at educational and physical risk, the inschool program was developed to reduce school absences, provide continuing instruction, and serve both rehabilitative and…

A recent article by Leviton develops a taxonomy for individualized school discipline including use of corporal punishment with conduct-disordered pupils. Research shows corporal punishment does have a negative effect on some types of behavior-disordered children, but it may not be wholly inappropriate for all types of misbehavior. (Author)

A teacher describes how she managed to turn one student's disruptive behavior into an opportunity for all students to learn about conflict resolution. (JL)

When compared with regular schools in the same district, fundamental school students performed as well as or better than regular school students; fundamental schools rated better on learning climate, discipline, and suspensions; and there were no differences in student self-concept. (Author/BW)

Weldon, Menacker, and Hurwitz studied teacher-student relationships and student behavior in four Chicago inner-city elementary schools. Findings indicated that, although students and teachers reported mutual respect, each school had severe discipline problems. The authors present several possible explanations. Commentary on the study by Guinagh…

The Escuela Internacional Sampedrana (EIS) in Honduras implemented a new discipline program in its Primary School during the 1996-97 school year. This paper contains findings from three evaluations of the program--an initial analysis, a midyear report, and a year-end report. The first report analyzed the number of suspensions and detentions, as…

A study in Columbia, Missouri, revealed that many teacher and student background characteristics correlated weakly but significantly with teachers' perceptions of the frequency of discipline infractions and the effectiveness of disciplinary techniques. The data (derived from school records and from a questionnaire to which 162 elementary teachers…

Responses of 225 South Dakota elementary school principals indicated that (1) 88 percent had a written discipline policy; (2) 47 percent followed a specific discipline model; and (3) 81 percent considered student discipline to be no problem or a minor problem. Responses are categorized by school district size. (SV)

Describes creative ways for teachers to handle difficult classroom discipline situations, focusing on how to deal with defiant disruptives, noncombatant noncompliers, and incessant interrupters. The article discusses potentially difficult situations and explains how best to handle them in a positive manner. (SM)

A motivational plan to reduce bus discipline referrals in a K-5 elementary school is presented in this practicum paper. Methodology involved observation of student behavior on 13 buses, pre- and post-tests administered to third- through fifth-graders, and document analysis of student misconduct citations and bus conduct reports. Referral…