This practicum was designed to enhance methods and procedures used with 15 low-achieving, disinterested, and disruptive seventh grade students assigned to a middle school's alternative education program. The primary goal of the practicum was to increase students' responsibility for their own actions and their attention to learning. A secondary…

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature regarding some of the past practices of discipline and to explore the changes in discipline that have been made in our schools, the alternatives that have resulted, and a specific approach--in-school suspension--that has taken root in contemporary education as a result of this change. A review…

Guidance techniques for use with children are discussed in this set of training materials, part of an overall curriculum for Child Development Associate trainees. Topics presented include the following: (1) principles of human behavior according to such theories as psychoanalysis, humanistic psychology, and social learning theory; (2) common…

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the School Team Approach for changing perceptions of the school climate and the level of victimization in 290 middle, junior high, and high schools used student and teacher questionnaires adapted from those used in the Safe School Study. In pre-intervention tests, students and teachers in middle and junior…

Designed to be presented in a workshop format, by trainers, to an audience of caregivers of young children, these materials provide six modules for workshops in the areas of helping children grow emotionally and socially. Contents of the workshop modules focus on adult behavior and children's self-esteem, feelings and sexuality, activities for…

In January 1969, the National Conference of Christians and Jews developed four programs which were designed to help make it possible for a number of Junior and Senior High School age youths, who were handicapped by both racial and economic isolation, to begin to move into the mainstream of community and school life: Student and Administrator,…

The Kansas City School Behavior Project was an experiment intended to enhance the social-emotional development of individual pupils through treatment of mild behavioral disturbances and primary prevention programs, utilizing the teachers in their roles as group leaders. The teachers in the experimental group received summer training in the methods…

A case study was conducted of Ryan, an 11-year-old student from New Zealand whose family came to Australia as itinerant fruit pickers. Classroom observations; document reviews; and interviews with Ryan, his teachers, and the school principal indicated that Ryan was a badly behaved student. However, in focusing on Ryan's behaviors and linking poor…

Faced with increasing concerns of educators, parents, and students regarding the lack of school discipline, this study evaluated a social skills program to reduce inappropriate behavioral incidents in urban middle and rural high school students. Students' inappropriate behavior, such as talking back, not preparing for class or not participating in…

This book provides a comprehensive guide to teaching students to do the right thing. After "Introduction: Caring Teachers Can Make a Difference," 11 chapters include: (1) "Setting the Stage for Appropriate Behavior"; (2) "Expectations, Limits, and Rules" (unreasonable barricades and how to build moderate fences); (3)…

The Montana Behavioral Initiative (MBI) was developed in 1995 in response to increased incidents of student behavior problems. The intent of MBI is to improve educational environments to meet the needs of all students, including those with behavioral challenges. Each participating school conducts needs assessments and develops site-specific goals…

This action research project sought to increase students' time on task by decreasing the frequency of disruptive behaviors. The targeted population consisted of first- and third-grade students in two suburban communities. The types and frequency of disruptive behaviors that affected time on task were documented by means of teacher, student, and…

This paper presents research on the influence of divorce on the classroom behavior of school-aged children. It attempts to uncover some contributing factors that may play a role in how a child deals with divorce. It explores the role of the teacher and school in the intervention and discusses what teachers have observed in working with children of…

This action research project sought to increase the use of appropriate social skills by middle school students through an increased instructional emphasis on social skills. The specific social skills addressed were listening, encouraging, self-control, appropriate manners, and accepting others' ideas. These skills were introduced using M-charts…

This action research project examined the effectiveness of a program to improve kindergartners' prosocial behaviors. Students' lack of social skills was documented by means of teacher and parent surveys, teacher anecdotal records, and behavioral observation checklists. The intervention had four components. The teacher directly taught social skills…