Whole School Approaches to Behaviour

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Whole School Approaches to Supporting Student Behaviour Teena Skelton Educators in the 21st century face increased challenges given the widening diversity of students in schools. There is the ever increasing complexity of students who may have behaviour problems, communication disorders, autism or a range of other disabilities with which comes growing legal obligations for teachers and schools (New South Wales Department of Education and Communities, 2012 a). In the United States of America (USA) teachers are reporting that ‘uncivil’ behaviour is increasing and is a real threat to effective teaching (Skiba and Peterson, 2000). Research has also reported that a link exists between general level of disruptive behaviour and more extreme acts of violence (Skiba et al 2000). In Australia research by Vinson (2002) identified that non-compliance and defiance are significant issues in schools, and pose a major challenge to teachers. Furthermore, Vinson (2002) reported that a significant problem for teachers in Australia is actually the constant and cumulative nature of minor violations and disruptions, rather than the enormity of the behaviours per se. The Vinson Report highlights that the problem is serious, disrupts learning and depletes the morale of staff (Vinson, 2002). Problem behaviour is perceived as a threat to teacher authority and control in the classroom and ultimately teacher efficacy, teacher stress and job satisfaction are determined by a teacher’s level of success in managing such behaviour (Kyriacou, 2001). Teachers will often revert to coercive and ineffective types of discipline when confronted with challenging behaviours (Lewis and Sugai, 1999). School communities sometimes respond to problem behaviour in reactive and negative ways rather than proactive and positive ways. Examples of reactive negative measures include increasing
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