9/14/2021

Chapter Three

Assertive Discipline

PowerPoint slides by
Carlette Jackson Hardin

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Objectives
• understand the basic principles behind Assertive Discipline
• evaluate the rights of teachers and the rights of students
• determine the role of administrators and parents in
supporting rule enforcement
• determine the appropriate consequences for misbehavior
• establish appropriate reward systems for individual students
and for class wide recognition
• learn techniques for the effective use of Assertive Discipline in
the classroom

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

1
 9/14/2021

Assertive Discipline
• Developed by Lee and Marlene Canter
• One of the most common management
models in the United States
• Developed from theories and principles of
assertiveness training and behavior
modification

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Assertive Discipline asserts that Teachers have

the right to:
• Establish classroom structure, rules,
procedures, and routines
• Determine and request appropriate behavior
from students
• Ask for assistance and support from parents
and the school administration
• Teach students to consistently follow rules and
directions
Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

2
 9/14/2021

Assertive Discipline asserts that Students have

the right to:
• Know the behavior expected of them by the teacher
• Have consistent limits known so that they can
eliminate inappropriate self-disruptive behaviors
• Have consistent encouragement
• Know the consequences of inappropriate behavior
• Be taught acceptable and responsible behavior

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Three Types of Teachers

• Nonassertive teachers
– fail to make their needs or wants known and allow
students to take advantage of them
• Hostile teachers
– respond in a manner that disregards the needs and
feelings of students and, in many cases, violates students’
rights
• Assertive teachers
– clearly and firmly express their needs. They have positive
expectations of students, and this is reflected in their
words and actions.
Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

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 9/14/2021

STEPS IN DEVELOPING THE

ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE PLAN

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Step One: Inform Key People

• Seek approval from the administration

• Plan for notification of parents

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Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

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 9/14/2021

Step Two: Establish

Classroom Rules

• Rules must be observable

• Rules should be enforceable throughout the
day
• Rules should be age appropriate

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Step Two: Establish

Classroom Rules

• Rules should be limited (5 -7)

• Rules should cover typical discipline situations
• Rules must teach appropriate classroom
behavior

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

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 9/14/2021

Sample Classroom Rules

•Do not talk while the teacher is talking, while other students
are contributing, or during tests or quizzes
•Walk quietly and orderly in the hallways
•Don’t hit, kick, or touch anyone else with your hands, feet, or
other objects
•Bring all needed materials to class
•Don’t bring food or drink in the classroom unless given
special permission to do so

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Step Three: Plan Positive Reinforcements

• Sample Group Rewards/Reinforcements

– Students work together for reward
– “Marble in the Jar”
• Sample Individual Rewards/Reinforcements
– Praise
– Notes Home
– Tangible Rewards
– Special Privileges

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

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 9/14/2021

Step Four: Develop a Hierarchy of

Consequences

• There should be no more than five

consequences
• Consequences should not be physically or
psychologically harmful
• Consequences do not have to be severe to be
effective

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Step Four: Develop a Hierarchy of

Consequences
• Negative consequences should be applied
every time a student chooses to behave
inappropriately
• The teacher needs to plan for tracking
inappropriate behavior
– Recorded on board
– Turning cards
– Behavior recorded in notebook
Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

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 9/14/2021

Sample Hierarchy of Consequences

First Time to Break a Rule: Warning

Second Time to Break a Rule: Five Minutes in Quiet Corner

writing in Behavior Journal

Third Time to Break a Rule: Ten Minutes in Quiet Corner

writing in Behavior Journal

Fourth Time to Break a Rule: Fifteen Minutes in Quiet Corner

and Parents are Called

Fifth Time to Break a Rule: Sent to Principal

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Step Five: Create Severity Plan

• Provide actions for behaviors that are too
serious to go through hierarchy of
consequences
• Student sent to principal immediately

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

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Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

8
 9/14/2021

Significant Changes in Principles of

Assertive Discipline
• Original program did not • New version stresses that
mention elements of trust before rules and
and respect. consequences can be
effective, trust and respect
must be present

• Original program stressed

• New version stresses that
that all children can behave
most students can behave.
and misbehavior is a choice.

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Significant Changes in Principles of

Assertive Discipline
• Original program stressed • New version stresses that
that all children could teachers must teach the
behave, not that they must behaviors they expect
be taught to behave.
• Original program stressed • New version establishes
that all off-task behavior distinction between
was subject to disruptive and non-
consequences. disruptive off-task behavior.

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

9
 9/14/2021

Significant Changes in Principles of

Assertive Discipline
• Original program suggested • New version suggest that
tracking of misbehavior by behavior should be tracked
writing names on board. in a private way.
• Original program provided • New version has more
no discussion of ways to emphasis on ways to deal
deal with difficult child. with difficult students
• Original program had a • New version has a sharper
focus on rules. distinction between rules
and directions.

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF

ASSERTIVE DISCIPLINE

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Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

10
 9/14/2021

Strengths of Assertive Discipline

• Prescription method that is helpful for new
teachers
• Addresses behavior instead of character of
student
• Discusses student’s rights
• Involves parents and administrators
• Research indicates its effectiveness
Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

Weaknesses of Assertive Discipline

• Seen as harsh or frightening for young

children
• May be demeaning for older students
• Process may reinforce behavior of some
students
• Plan does not deal with root of problem

Copyright ©2008 by Pearson Education, Inc.

All rights reserved.
Hardin
Effective Classroom Management:
Models and Strategies for
Today’s Classroom (2nd Edition)

11