Have you ever wondered why some students may only need gentle reminders when other students need more assertive discipline? That is because every student is different. One would never think of using the same math or reading program for all students. Just as students academically function at different levels, they also function at different levels, or stages, of discipline.
It is important to know when a student is making progress. Some teachers may see a student as being a discipline problem, but they should also be able to recognize when a child is making progress. Recognizing that progress, as slow as it may seem, can make it a pleasure to see that child every day. It is because of this, that a teacher can really make a difference in that student’s life.
Many experts give advice for handling disciplinary problems, but many of them do not always agree with one another. Thomas Gordon, creator of Teacher Effectiveness Training adamantly opposes Lee Canter’s Assertive Discipline concept. However, both of them have enjoyed a great deal of success all across America. For now, it is not important to determine who is right or wrong. Let's say both of them are right, but they are not talking about the same students!
Using the theories of Lawrence Kohlberg will help you to understand the stages of moral and ethical reasoning in all students. One significant factor that was revealed in his research is that everyone, regardless of culture, race, or sex, goes through these stages. The progression from stage to stage is the same, but the rate varies from person to person. It is for this reason that we need to be prepared to address discipline in our classrooms at different levels. Our students are functioning at different stages on the road to self-discipline. If you would like to review these stages, click on the link below for Kohlberg's stages of discipline.
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Kohlberg's Stages of Discipline
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