Every student holds the potential for success or failure; and often, the discipline model they experience, decides.
Meet Jason
Jason is a bright but easily distracted Grade 8 student and has a habit of talking out of turn in class. One day, after disrupting a math lesson for the third time that week, his teacher had enough. Jason was sent to the principal’s office, where he received a suspension and a stern warning to “shape up.”
At home, Jason faces more punishment as his parents struggle to understand why he just cannot behave. Nobody wants to hear anything he has to say because “what excuse could there possibly be for being a nuisance in class”.
The suspension isolates Jason from his classmates, he hates his teacher now, and his resentment toward school is now at an all-time high. His grades are drowning, and the cycle of frustration and disengagement continues.
Now, meet Amara
Amara is also a Grade 8 student, who finds herself in a similar situation. She was caught passing notes during a history class, disrupting the flow of the lesson. But instead of suspension, her teacher opted for a different approach: a progressive discipline plan.
Amara was asked to stay after class to discuss her behavior. Together, they identify the root of her actions – she was feeling bored and unchallenged by the material. The teacher collaborates with Amara and her parents to create an action plan that includes engaging classroom activities and a clear system of consequences.
Amara has now adjusted her behavior and has begun to participate actively in class discussions. She appreciates her teacher more, having spent a few hours alone with her discussing how she really feels, and her grades are soaring.
These stories illustrate two starkly different outcomes, shaped by the method of discipline employed. Traditional discipline methods, like Jason’s suspension, often lead to disconnection, resentment, and academic decline. Meanwhile, progressive discipline in schools, like the plan used for Amara, focuses on understanding the “why” behind a student’s actions.
What is Progressive Discipline?
Progressive discipline is more than a method; it’s a mindset, and an effective alternative to traditional school discipline. At its core, it recognizes that students are not just rule-breakers to be punished but individuals who need guidance to understand the consequences of their actions and grow from their mistakes. Instead of focusing solely on punitive measures, this approach emphasizes correction, accountability, and connection.
The mindset behind progressive discipline is rooted in understanding behavior rather than reacting to it. It seeks to answer questions like:
- Why did this happen?
- What is the underlying issue?
- How can we help this student learn and improve?
By addressing these questions, teachers and administrators can guide students toward more constructive behavior patterns.
Why is this approach better?
Traditional discipline methods, such as suspensions or expulsions, often focus on removing the “problem” without addressing its root causes. While these measures might restore order temporarily, they frequently fail to equip students with the skills or understanding they need to avoid future missteps. While these methods may solve the classroom problem, they create a bigger problem in the long run – A community problem.
In contrast, progressive discipline in schools prioritizes teaching over punishment by treating misbehavior as a learning opportunity rather than an offense to be penalized. It emphasizes helping students understand the impact of their actions, make amends, and develop better decision-making skills. This approach not only addresses the behavior itself but also equips students with the tools to succeed both academically and socially.
This approach benefits everyone involved:
- For students, it fosters growth and resilience by helping them take responsibility for their actions.
- For teachers, it builds trust and a sense of partnership in the classroom.
- For schools, it creates an environment of mutual respect and accountability, reducing repeated behavioral issues over time.
By shifting the focus from punishment to learning, progressive discipline becomes a school discipline method that works; one that not only addresses the immediate behavior but also lays the foundation for long-term success.
Rewiring Perceptions: Understanding Disruptive Students
Disruptive students are often misunderstood, labeled as problematic, or irrational in their behavior. However, this perspective misses a crucial truth: most disruptive students have logical, even insightful, reasons for their actions. Rather than acting out without cause, they are often responding to unmet needs or frustrations within the learning environment.
Many of these students are remarkably intelligent, yet they find school boring and disconnected from their lives. To them, spending long hours learning subjects that seem irrelevant to their daily experiences feels like an exercise in futility. This disconnect leaves them disengaged and searching for stimulation elsewhere, which often manifests as disruptive behavior.
Others are exceptionally quick learners. They grasp concepts almost immediately, leaving them frustrated as the teacher continues to explain the material for the benefit of their peers. To these students, the extended repetition feels like wasted time, further fueling their disinterest and restlessness.
What these students truly need is not punishment but understanding. They need teachers who can reframe how school and its subjects relate to their futures, making learning relevant and meaningful. By recognizing the potential within disruptive behavior and creating environments that engage these students intellectually and emotionally, teachers can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and achieve effective behavior management in their classrooms.
Employing Progressive Discipline: Practical Strategies for Teachers and Schools
Here are 10 actionable ways schools and teachers can implement progressive discipline to address student behavior effectively and create an inclusive learning environment:
- Engage in Open Communication: Initiate one-on-one conversations with students to understand the root causes of their behavior. This builds trust and helps identify underlying issues such as boredom, frustration, or personal struggles.
- Use Restorative Practices: Encourage students to take responsibility for their actions by making amends with those affected. Restorative circles or facilitated discussions can help repair relationships and foster a sense of accountability.
- Create Individualized Behavior Plans: Develop tailored action plans for students who frequently display disruptive behavior. These plans should include clear expectations, agreed-upon consequences, and steps for improvement.
- Focus on Positive Reinforcement: Recognize and reward positive behaviors, no matter how small. Celebrating achievements can motivate students to repeat good behavior and feel valued.
- Connect Lessons to Real Life: Make learning relevant by showing how subjects apply to students’ futures and daily lives. This approach reduces disengagement and helps students see the value in their education.
- Provide Enrichment Opportunities: Offer advanced or alternative learning activities for fast learners to keep them engaged. Allowing them to explore more challenging material can prevent boredom and disruptions.
- Offer Constructive Consequences: Replace punitive measures like detention or suspension with constructive alternatives, such as community service, peer mentoring, or skill-building workshops.
- Train Teachers in Emotional Intelligence: School boards should equip educators with tools to recognize emotional cues, de-escalate conflicts, and respond empathetically to student needs.
- Involve Parents and Guardians: Partner with families to create a consistent approach to discipline at school and home. Regular communication ensures everyone is working toward the same goals.
- Monitor and Reflect: Establish a system for tracking the effectiveness of progressive discipline strategies. Use this data to refine approaches and ensure that disciplinary methods evolve to meet student needs
Conclusion
Effective behavior management in classrooms isn’t about choosing between control and chaos; it’s about finding a middle ground where discipline serves as a tool for growth. Progressive discipline in schools represents this balance; a thoughtful, compassionate approach that views misbehavior not as a threat, but as an opportunity to guide students toward better decisions.
As educators and advocates, it’s essential to embrace this shift from punishment to progress. By addressing behavior through understanding and accountability, we not only help students succeed academically but also prepare them for meaningful lives beyond the classroom.
The journey to transforming how we discipline students is challenging, but it’s also profoundly rewarding. Together, we can move beyond outdated models and adopt school discipline methods that work; methods that nurture potential, build trust, and empower every student to thrive.
