This paper represents a report of a year-long case study of the implementation of a token economy in an entire elementary school. The effort was intended to provide teachers with an alternative to corporal punishment as a form of school discipline. In this report, both the successful and unsuccessful procedures are described in chronological…

The article categorizes the information needed to develop comprehensive approaches to students with chronic disciplinary problems and discusses psychological measures that can provide the necessary information. The categories include: cognitive domain (attention; concentration; memory; and psycholinguistic, conceptual, sensory, and perceptual…

The phenomenon of behavioral problems in school confronts each personally- or professionally-involved party (teacher, pupil, researcher, or psychologist) with the need to become aware of those elements in the individual identity, the role-behavior, and the institutionally-defined practice that contribute to the emergence and perpetuation of…

This book helps teachers develop personal plans of action to handle classroom discipline, offering progressive Plan A and Plan B strategies. Plan A strategies take seconds to implement. Plan B strategies take more time but are designed to turn around specific attitudes and behaviors. After an introduction, there are 9 chapters: (1) "Misbehaviors…

Teachers from predominantly Black, White, or Hispanic inner-city, elementary schools report on the factors which cause physical and mental stress. The report claims that these stresses undermine teacher morale, and ultimately, the quality of instruction suffers. (APM)

The authors examine the potential and the limitations of alternative schools for disruptive students by discussing positive features, such as small student-teacher ratio and enhancement of self-concept, and negative aspects, such as the tendency toward racial isolation and possible use as a tool for social control. (SK)

Identified voter attitudes directly affecting voter behavior in fiscal elections, including attitudes about community involvement in policy-making, school community relations, school discipline and the teaching of democracy, present level of spending, and present level of taxes. Perceptions of school quality and social conditions have little…

Describes how to handle noncompliant students in the classroom. Suggestions include eliminating excessive expectations, encouraging assertiveness, offering options and choices, giving the students specific responsibilities, taking control of homework, taking steps to avert potentially oppositional behavior, strategically rewarding compliance,…

Analysis of data from the Schools and Staffing Survey, 1987-88, reveals that compared to metropolitan schools, nonmetropolitan schools are smaller, have fewer teachers with advanced degrees, and offer fewer advanced or remedial classes. However, smaller rural schools often provide smaller classes, more teacher attention, and a less stressful…

Presents the results of a study that reveals that the determinants of habitual cheating are much the same as those that relate to having cheated at least once (versus never having cheated). Suggests that habitual cheating is related inversely to grade point average but related positively to having seen others cheat. (MJP)

In studies of school behavior adjustment involving 39 antisocial and 41 at-risk middle school boys, extremely problematic behavior profiles were found among the antisocial subjects. Profiles were quite consistent and stable across the middle school years. Predictor variables of school success or failure included math achievement, school discipline…

Examines the response made by San Antonio (Texas) public schools to school violence and discusses the competing disciplinary views offered to address the problems. The author distinguishes between rhetorical and actual efforts to solve community problems in urban areas that surround urban schools and argues for mediation as a theory of social…

Discusses the application of "say-do" (a technique which compares students' verbal commitment to positive behavior with the actual behavior) correspondence training to reduce troublesome behavior in the classroom. Specifically reviews the cases of seven secondary students and traces their responses to this technique. Defends…

Interviews in 12 Scottish schools examined how teachers and staff perceived and responded to the culture and behavior of Traveller children--both Gypsies and occupational migrants. The findings raise issues about "difference" versus deviance and the extent to which schools can accommodate cultural diversity when it challenges norms of…

Evaluates tutorial program and a combined tutorial and counseling program. Effects on achievement, self-esteem, and classroom behavior of middle school students (N=135) at risk of dropping out are examined. Discussion includes implications for counselors. "Outline for Training Tutors" and example plans for group-counseling sessions are appended.…