How do you think behaviour should be managed in secondary schools?

@moog27 (60)
June 12, 2010 8:05am CST
As a secondary school teacher myself, I teach children from 11 - 16 years old. My school is in quite a deprived area and behaviour is very challenging. I enjoy the challenge and feel that I am one of the more effective teachers in terms of managing the behaviour so that learning can take place. I have a wide range of strategies that I use within the classroom and I place a huge emphasis on praising students to encourage appropriate behaviour. I also rely on whole school strategies. A more recent one to crack down on the most disruptive behaviour is that if a student is disruptive to the point of not being able to remain in the classroom they are sent home. I am not talking about low level disruption, I am talking throwing chairs, swearing at people, violence, aggressive behaviour, utter defiance etc. I believe that asking parents/carers to collect them from the school has proved to be a successful strategy. It seems that by inconveniencing the parents and making them leave work etc to collect their child they actually take the time to address their childs behaviour by using sanctions that we are unable to do - confiscating their xbox etc! Many parents are complaining saying that it is the schools job to manage their child and they dont want to come and collect them. However, after a certain point there is nothing more that a school has the power to do and I feel that the parents need to take some responsibility in disciplining their child. Despite the complaints, the impact has been huge. Behaviour on the whole has drastically improved and repeat offenders are beginning to get the message. I am interested in what other people think - in particular parents of secondary school children?
1 response
• United States
12 Jun 10
The best way to teach these people is take it slow, stern, and willing. Don't go to fast on them, Be sure to not let them think they can do whatever they want, and don't let them see the weakness in your eyes, if you are experiencing difficulty.
@moog27 (60)
12 Jun 10
Yes I agree. What do you think about sending the extreme behaviour cases home? My opinion is that untill you start inconveniencing the parents, you wont have the parent/school partnership that you need. But I also know of plenty of parents that disagree with this. Ultimately I think it is the parents responsibility to ensure that their child knows how to behave in any social environment - in particular during school.