Effects of assertive discipline on classroom social relationships

¶ … Assertive Discipline on Social Relationships in the Classroom

The objective of this work is to propose research of the effect that assertive discipline has upon social relationships in the classroom.

Assertive discipline in the classroom is a discipline system developed in 1976 by Lee and Marlene Canter. Assertive Discipline teaches the students that they must accept consequences resulting from their actions and has "as its basic premise the reinforcement of appropriate behavior" (Render, Padilla, and Krank, 1989, p. 609) According to Canter (1988) "Responsibility is exactly what Assertive Discipline is all about" (p.24) Assertive discipline includes the teacher devising a system inclusive of rewards and punishments depending upon the behavior of the student. Canter states that the key to Assertive Discipline is generous praise (1998) Assertive Discipline is considered to be "easy to learn, simple to understand, and easy to implement. (Curwin and Mendler, 1989, p. 83) Critics of the Assertive Discipline approach do exist and hold that there has been: "...limited research on the effectiveness of such a widely accepted discipline system. (Curwin and Mendler, 1989) Critics hold that Assertive Discipline is an authoritarian discipline system that forces students into acceptance of the rules of the teacher with the parents further being forced into compliance. Hitz (1988) defined Assertive Discipline as a 'power assertion rather than developing responsible behavior." (p. 25)

Research Question

The question this research seeks to answer is the question of: "How does assertive classroom management affect social relationships in the classroom?"

Rationale

The purpose and importance for conducting this research is geared toward obtaining a better understanding of how assertive classroom management affects the social relationships of students in the classroom.

Study Approach

The approach used in the study being proposed is the method of observation and through use of interviews/surveys include pre- and post-test.

THE EFFECT of ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE on SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS in the CLASSROOM

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW of the LITERATURE

I. Catching Students Being Good

The work of Canter and Canter (2001) emphasizes catching the student being good and providing appropriate feedback and reinforcement for the good behavior. In the belief of the Cantors, the teacher has a right to make the determination of what is best for the students in terms of behavior and further to expect compliance from the students. Assertive teachers are those who "react confidently and quickly in situations that require behavior management. These teachers have "few clearly stated classroom rules and give firm, clear, concise directions to students who are in need of outside control." (Carey, 2007) Assertive teachers "build positive, trusting relationships with their students and teach appropriate classroom behavior (via direct instruction...describing, modeling, practicing, reviewing, encouraging and rewarding) to those who don't who it at present." (Carey, 2007) the Assertive Discipline approach evolved from behavior modification theory. Assertive Discipline is a behavioral approach to classroom discipline that is characterized "by a focus on environmental variables." (Carey, 2007) in this approach, the teachers "manipulate environmental contingencies by using reinforcers, punishers and processes of shaping and extinction to manage the behavior of students in their class (Jones and Jones, 1995)." (Carey, 2007)

II. Assertive Discipline is a Behavioral Approach

The behavioral approach in discipline includes various positive reinforcers such as: "praise, stickers and free time" in promoting compliance and on-task behavior from students (Donnellan, LaVigna, Negri-Shoultz, & Fassbender, 1988) (Carey, 2007) Furthermore the teachers in the assertive discipline classroom "use some form of penalty such as reprimands, demerit points, or time out in order to reduce undesirable behavior (Martin & Pear, 1992) (Carey, 2007) the approach developed by Canter (1976) is a program in which the teacher assumes the responsibility for management of student behavior however, "research into the effectiveness of this approach has provided inconclusive findings and has been described by some authors as unsophisticated (Benshoff, et al., 1994)." (Carey, 2007) it is related that a study conducted by Brown (2003) took a look at "culturally responsive management practices." (Collier, 2006)

III. Three Competencies of Assertive Discipline

Thirteen teachers were interviewed and observed in the study. These teachers were described as "...outstanding teachers who created optimal learning environments." (Collier, 2006) the three competencies that these teachers were identified has possessing were those as follows: (1) Caring for students; (2) Being assertive and acting with authority; and (3) Understanding how other students might view power and authority and communicate effectively with students." (Collier, 2006)

IV. Six Tasks of Assertive Discipline in the Classroom

Weinstein, Curran and Tomilson-Clark (2003) are stated to have identified six tasks that result in classroom management that is more 'culturally relevant management' which includes the following six tasks: (1) Creating a physical setting that supports social and academic goals, (2) Establishing behavior expectations, (3) Communicating in culturally consistent ways with students, (4) Developing a classroom environment that is caring, (5) Working with families, and (6) Using appropriate interventions to assist students with behavior difficulties. (Collier, 2006)

V. Application of Assertive Discipline Approach

Successful use of Assertive Discipline in the classroom includes never even thinking there is a reason for bad behavior that is acceptable, except perhaps in the case of biologically-based misbehavior. Secondly, the teacher must make a decision as to which rules will be established in the classroom. The teacher should choose four or five rules and make them very clear to the student. Third, the teacher must decide the negative consequences the student will experience for noncompliance. Fourth, the teacher must determine positive consequences for appropriate behavior of students. Rewards are given that are group rewards and those that are individual rewards. Fifth, the teacher should have a meeting to inform the students of the discipline program and state why the rules are necessary. The rules should be listed along with the negative and positive consequences. The teacher should have the students take home a copy of the list of rules for the parents to read and sign and the program should be implemented immediately. The teacher must become skillful in using assertive discipline techniques such as communication of displeasure to student concerning their behavior and develop the ability to recognize and provide quick response to behavior that is appropriate. The teacher should also become skillful at using the "broken record technique" or continuing to repeat the commands given to students until the student listens and follows the directions given by the teacher. The teacher should become skillful at using the: "positive repetitions technique" which is a "disguised way of repeating rules" so that students understand what they need to do. "Proximity praise" should be used in which the teacher, instead of only focusing on the bad behavior of students, praises the students who are behaving well. "Proximity control" is also stated as a necessary skill and is a where the teacher makes the move toward the student misbehaving by for example inviting the student to talk to them alone instead of in front of the class. Finally, the teacher should teach the students good classroom behavior.

VI. Key Ideas behind Assertive Discipline

The key ideas behind the Assertive Discipline approach are those as follows:

Key One: The teacher must insist and expect responsible behavior from the students;

Key Two: The teacher must maintain adequate classroom discipline; and Key Three: Both students and teachers have rights.

VII. Characteristics of the Assertive Discipline Model

The characteristics of the Assertive Discipline Model are those as follows:

1. There is a clear indication given by the teacher to the student of the rules of the classroom.

2. The teacher gives reminders of the rules;

3. The teacher gives students indication of consequences for violating classroom rules;

4. The teacher establishes a positive discipline system;

5. The teacher uses positive consequences as opposed to negative

6. Negative consequences are graded in severity of the misbehavior of students.

VIII. Implementation of the Assertive Discipline Model

There are five necessary steps in the implementation of the Assertive Discipline model, which are those as follows:

Step One - recognize and remove roadblocks;

Step Two - practice use of assertive response styles;

Step Three - learn to set limits;

Step Four - learn to follow-through on limits;

Step Five - implement a system of positive consequences. (Behavior Management Themes, 2007)

The Assertive Discipline model was developed by Canter and is focused at 'corrective' control of the classroom based on positive behavioral management. Assertiveness is defined in the work of Canter as being a: "business like communication of reasonable teacher expectations and disapproval followed by a clear indication of what the student is to do. The teacher who is assertive provides reminders to students as to what they should do and uses questions assertively in communicating limits to students.

IX. Benefits of the Assertive Discipline Approach

Benefits of the Assertive Discipline approach includes the following:

It enables teachers to use class time more productively for teaching;

It serves to prevent discipline problems from occurring as students have a clear understanding of the consequences of keeping and breaking the rules; and it can provide supportive control when a warning is all that is required. (Behavior Management Themes, 2007)

The basic rights of teacher in their classrooms include: (1) the right to establish optimal learning environments; (2) the right to request and express appropriate behavior; and (3) the right to receive help from administrators and parents as needed. (Behavior Management Themes, 2007) the basic rights of students in the classroom include: (1) the right to have teachers who help limit self-destructing behavior; and (2) the right to choose how to behave. (Behavior Management Themes, 2007) These rights and needs of students are most optimally met through use of assertive discipline in which the teacher "...clearly communicates the expectations to the students and consistently follows-up with appropriate actions, but never violates, the best interests of the students." (Behavior Management Themes, 2007) the work of Usha McNab entitled: "The Individual and the Whole Class" states that: "that the teacher needs to work on creating a social and cultural milieu in the classroom to cause positive behavior, where pupils can have control of themselves, and a feeling of empowerment and self-esteem, and problems can be seen as interesting puzzles to be solved through recognizing the network of causes. If there is a disturbance, an immediate mild rebuke is often enough. Planned "ignoring" of some provocative behavior, linked with positive attention for work is often useful." (nd) in fact, this approach is stated by McNab to be use in Assertive Discipline: "where the clear rules, rewards, and consequences are known to all, which enables the teacher to manage behavior inn the classroom without lowering the children's self-esteem or making it a personal issue. Children themselves recently confirmed the benefits of this approach when they described how a code of discipline had improved their school." (nd)

X. Logical Consequences

John Shindler states in the work entitled: "Developing Logical Consequences" that "An essential part of a well functioning system of social relationships" or the 'social contract' is "...a set of logical and related consequences for student behavior. Consequences act to create boundaries and clarity of expectations." (Shindler, nd) in his work, Shindler compares consequences with punishment and states that: "In a punishment condition, the pain and discomfort inflicted on the "punished" is always calculated by an external agent, the "punisher." With consequences, the cost or benefit is determined by natural laws, whereas with the punishment, the price is determined artificially. Consequences teach lessons, punishments teach avoidance of the punisher. Most consequences are understood before decisions are made and actions take place. Punishments are typically reactive." (nd) the following chart lists consequences vs. punishments in making a comparison of the two.

Consequences vs. Punishments: A Comparison

Consequences

Punishments

Intend to teach lessons

Intend to give discomfort

Foster internal locus of control

Foster external locus of control

Are proactive

Are reactive

Are logical and related

Are unrelated and personal

Work in the long-term

Work in the short-term

Promote responsibility

Can promote obedience (but more likely resentment)

Source: Shindler (nd)

The following is an example of a common uniform school-wide policy chart listing the levels of consequences for each incident of misbehavior.

Figure 2 - Common uniform school-wide policy chart depicting levels' of consequences for each misbehavior

Misbehavior

Consequence

1st offense

Warning

2nd offense

Time at recess or after school

3rd offense

Detention and/or contacting parents

Source: Shindler (nd)

According to Shindler: "Effective consequences are proactively built in to the contract before they are implemented." (nd)

Review of the Literature Reviewed

It has been related in this study the research of Canter and Canter who have stated that the key goal in the Assertive Discipline model is assisting students in understanding that they are responsible for and choose their own behavior. When the students chooses good behavior their self-esteem and academic success increases. Assertive Discipline is characterized by clear communication to students of the expectations of the teacher who not only talks the talks, or points out the consequences that may result from the student's action, but this teacher walks the walk as well by delivering the student unto the consequences, which they choose. This teacher however, has the student's best interest always in mind. The philosophical base of the Assertive Discipline approach is the difficulty experienced historically by teachers in exerting control of the inappropriate behavior of students in the classroom and it is this that resulted in what is a structured and systematic approach in which the teacher grasps control of the classroom and simultaneously influences the student's behavior in a positive manner. This model is one that is inclusive of the concept of corrective discipline through a positive behavioral management in what is a democratic and cooperative environment. Positive consequences were found by the Canters to be more of a factor in determining the behavior of students than negative consequences or in other words, the student would prefer to exhibit good behavior in order to receive the reward promised by the teacher instead of fear of the negative consequences that were set out for exhibiting bad behavior. Review of the literature has also related that it is critically necessary that the teacher develop positive relationships with the students listening intently to what the students are conveying and supporting them and showing respect to them at all times. The teacher who takes the approach of Assertive Discipline is one who provides encouragement, rewards and provide students with instruction that are clear.

Keys to implementing Assertive Discipline include the following steps:

1) Choose clear observable rules for consistent implementation in the classroom;

2) Decide the consequences for both negative and positive behavior in the classroom;

3) Call a class meeting and state the rules plainly, so that all understand what is being said;

4) Inform the parents of students of the program of discipline.

The teacher should always when speaking do so in a firm tone of voice and make eye contact with students being responsive to appropriate behavior exhibited by students. Assertive Discipline is not difficult to implement and is effectively on a general basis. Assertive Discipline provides students who are misbehaving with the right type of attention for exhibiting good behavior. Parents are involved and through cooperation in discipline techniques, unproductive behaviors have been shown to lessen. Critics of the Assertive Discipline approach hold that children should be taught to follow rules simply because it is the right thing to do and further that the techniques of Assertive Discipline are forms of control that do not encourage critical thinking in the child and interferes with the child in development of self-reliance.

THE EFFECT of ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE on SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS in the CLASSROOM

CHAPTER THREE

METHODS and PROCEDURES

Assumptions

Questions

Participants

Poverty/low income/urban

Instruments

Procedures

Limitations

Data Analysis

Time Schedule

THE EFFECT of ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE on SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS in the CLASSROOM

CHAPTER FOUR

FINDINGS

Research Results