Draft
Action Research Project Progress Report
Classroom Management Styles Effect
on Discipline Referrals
Based
on the number of discipline referrals for 2010-2011, it was determined there
was a need to see if there was a correlation between classroom management and
discipline referrals in our school. It
was decided to focus on first and second grade.
The
discipline referral data for the 2010-2011 year has been collected. The development of a survey is in progress to
find out the classroom management style of each teacher. During June the discipline referral data for
2011-2012 should be available. The results of the research will help
administrators to understand how classroom management styles affect discipline referrals. It will also guide administrators in the need
for professional development to help the teachers improve their classroom
management.
The
objective of the action research is to see if there is a correlation between
the number of discipline referrals and the classroom management style of the
teachers. Based on the results of the
research, administrators will be able to see if professional development is
needed to help teachers improve their classroom management in order to reduce
the number of office referrals.
Recent
research shows there is a correlation between student discipline referrals and
classroom management. According to
Oliver, Wehby, and Reschly “teacher’s classroom management practices have a
significant, positive effect on decreasing problem behavior in the classroom.”
The
number of discipline referrals by some teachers led to the decision to see if
there was a correlation between classroom management styles and discipline
referrals. A meeting was held with the principal and assistant principal. There was discussion to possibly break down
the discipline referrals further to include socioeconomic or ethnicity
groups. However, after careful
consideration it was decided to limit the research to first and second grade
and classroom management styles.
Results
of the research will be presented to the staff using a powerpoint
presentation. The presentation will also
contain the reason for the research and recommendations based on the analysis
of the data. A written report will also
be submitted to the administrators on our campus outlining the research results
and recommendations for professional development.
The
strategy used to implement the project was to do as much of the research and
collection of data by myself. The data of student referrals by teachers will be
compiled by the assistant principal in order to maintain confidentiality
regarding the teachers. To maintain the confidentiality of the teachers, they
will be assigned a number by the assistant principal and the number will be
listed on the survey. The assistant principal will be the only one to know
which teacher submitted the information.
The same number will correlate to the discipline referral data. The
classroom management survey will be made up by me with approval of the
principal and assistant principal. I have
received the data for 2010-2011 and the data for 2011-2012 should be available
in June.
Research
is still being done for articles regarding the correlation between classroom
management and discipline referrals. The
survey will be made up in the coming week and submitted for approval from the
principal and assistant principal. Then
the surveys will be sent to the teachers.
The
action research project would serve all of the students including those with
special needs and diverse backgrounds.
With better classroom management teachers will be able to spend more
time teaching and less time writing discipline referrals. The school will
benefit from the project because less time will be spent handling disciplinary
action.
References
Oliver R, Wehby J., and Reschly, D. (2011). Teacher
classroom management practices: Effects on disruptive or aggressive student
behavior. Campbell Systematic Reviews 2011.4 DOI: 10.4073/csr.2011.4
