Developing a Course in Secondary Level Classroom Behavior Management: A Study (Part Two of a Process).

N

99

Behavior Problems; Classroom Environment; Classroom Techniques; Discipline; High School Students; High Schools; Higher Education; Preservice Teacher Education; Public Schools; Secondary School Teachers; Student Behavior; Student Surveys; Student Teacher Attitudes; Student Teachers

This paper reports a research project designed to improve collaboration among Georgia's schools, colleges, and universities and raise educational standards for pre-K through college education. The researchers, who had developed a course in secondary-level classroom behavior management for preservice teachers, examined the opinions of secondary students and teachers concerning behavior management practices in their classrooms. Eighty-three African-American and Caucasian students in grades 9-11 from one inner-city and one rural high school completed a survey. Six African-American and Caucasian teachers completed teacher interviews. Most students considered it the teacher's job to maintain classroom discipline and the student's job to follow school rules. Students expressed less concern with the fairness of classroom rules and disciplinary procedures than school rules and procedures. Students preferred teachers who treated them with respect; avoided sarcasm; used direct instruction; provided interesting, relevant lessons; and did not make them feel stupid. Teachers had not received recent inservice training on managing classroom behaviors, though they perceived significant changes in students' levels of personal self-control. Teachers echoed many of the same characteristics of effective teachers as their students. They believed that preservice courses in classroom behavior management should allow student teachers to observe teacher-pupil interactions in the classroom. They felt that inservice teachers needed refresher training to keep up with changes in students' attitudes toward schooling and behavior patterns. Attachments include the course syllabus, surveys, and presentation overheads. (SM)

1999

ED429071