Education

Four Ways to Handle Student Behavior Problems

By Bryan Toporek — October 06, 2010 1 min read
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With the new school year now in full swing, we’ve noticed that a number of school districts are experimenting with creative new methods to curb negative student behavior. Here’s a rundown, in case you’re searching for solutions, too:

The Indiana Department of Education rolled out a “parents pledge” this year in an attempt to boost parent involvement in their students’ academics. The parents who sign the pledge commit to having their children read every day, complete homework assignments, and treat fellow students and teachers with respect, according to the Associated Press.

Then there’s South Albany High School in Oregon, which has banned all students from swearing. While the punishments will be situational, based on the degree of expletive and the manner it’s used, the worst offenders will be earning a suspension for their foul language.

If you’re looking for more positive reinforcement, the Ouachita Parish School Board in Louisiana has you covered: They’ve set aside nearly $40,000 as an incentive for good behavior. Students in the district can be awarded as much as $1,500.

Or, if all else fails, you can always do what this Wichita, Kan. middle school resorted to doing: banning Silly Bandz.

A version of this news article first appeared in the Teaching Now blog.