NCJ Number
134660
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
South Australia's Education Department decided in 1986 to abolish corporal punishment in schools within 5 years, and the Student Behavior Management Project was initiated in 1987 to implement this decision.
Abstract
The project officer will research student management strategies, investigate and disseminate good student behavior practices, promote the idea of secure learning environments for students and promote sound learning relationships between students and teachers. In addition, the project officer will suggest curriculum and teaching methodology changes to assist in student management, communicate with parents and parent groups, evolve management practices that avoid the use of corporal punishment, be available as a resource person to all schools in South Australia, and consider desirable or necessary changes to regulations and administrative guidelines. With the abolition of corporal punishment, it is envisioned that school communities will rethink their student management practices and develop written student management policies that reflect the collaborative efforts of teachers, parents, and students. Further, it is envisioned that parent fears about the removal of corporal punishment will be alleviated by evidence of the effectiveness of more positive measures, that teacher training institutions will more effectively prepare beginning teachers for their classroom experiences, and that the incidence and frequency of disruptive student behavior will be reduced. An emphasis of the project will be on encouraging the formation of rules and sanctions that are goal-setting for teachers, students, and parents rather than punitive in nature. Project constraints and other discipline-related policies in South Australia are examined.