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