Get-tough discipline policies may contribute to student misbehavior in school. Educators may also contribute by humiliating students who fail, unnecessarily complicating discipline policies, enforcing rules arbitrarily and inconsistently, punishing unfairly, or using double standards for teachers and students. The best discipline programs are…

A recent study revealed that stress is not as devastating for most teachers as commonly imagined, but it can be a real problem for the urban, middle-aged, high school teacher. The biggest stressor for these and other teachers is the small number of problem students who chronically misbehave. (Author/JM)

Offers an explanation of the causes for student misbehavior and reviews the alternative approaches to classroom discipline. (WD)

The authors suggest that the way adults in a school behave is a major factor contributing to disruptive student behavior. They offer four suggestions for setting up a classroom that teaches appropriate behavior, and conclude that consistency is of ultimate importance. (KC)

Describes a field study that found that student "brinkmanship" (assertive behavior attempting to challenge the school's authority system yet avoid negative sanctions) is related to organizational routinization and student-teacher rapport. When rapport is poor, high routinization and control is correlated with low brinkmanship. (Author/JM)

When discipline problems arise, the referral system outlined here, in which teachers, counselors, and administrators know what is expected of them, may help principals save time and retain effectiveness. (JM)

Presents an adoptive parent's anecdotal report of an unhappy and unsuccessful adoption of an older child. (RH)

Results of a survey of California public schools do not support the findings of recent reports of an increase in violence in American schools. (Author/RLV)

In maintaining command of a classroom situation the teacher who establishes rapport with the group and uses humor effectively is most often successful in controlling or preventing disciplinary problems. (JD)

Examines briefly important concepts in the discipline of students with disabilities. Explains the principles developed through case law, which can provide guidance to administrators struggling with questions regarding the discipline of such students. Notes that the same principles may hold for the student at risk for school failure. (SR)

Describes problems of maintaining discipline and security at Jamaica High School in Queens, New York. Argues that court decisions and school regulations have allowed minority of aggressive and disruptive students to destabilize the learning environment. (PKP)

Examined how personnel managers (N=19) and line managers (N=28) make disciplinary decisions using policy-capturing approach. Findings suggested that factors likely to affect attributions about reason for a disciplinary problem were important determinants of disciplinary decisions. Considerable weight was assigned to either provocation, tenure, or…

Teachers can solve discipline problems, motivate students, and improve their own teaching by using writing assignments for communication purposes. Students get a chance to talk on paper, reflect on a situation, and avoid detention. Free writing can motivate students to do assignments and participate in class activities. Writing assignment…

Explored characteristics of 62 adolescent students with marked need for disciplinary crisis intervention who were enrolled in school for severely emotionally disturbed. Results revealed that students with strong crisis intervention needs displayed range of behaviors that could be characterized as disturbance in conduct. Results support use of…

Describes a 3-pronged policy to control budding problems of violence in a Midwestern school of about 2,600 students. Explains why each of the three policy changes--more lunch periods, assigned lockers, and mandatory student identification cards visibly displayed on each student--have made an enormous difference. (TB)