Lee Canter S Theory of Assertive Discipline

Jasmine Williams

Katie Jones

Raven Ellis

Lee Canter’s Theory of Assertive Discipline

Information

• Believes if teachers trained to manage their student’s behavior, the student’s outcome will become positive and successful and the teacher will have a positive impact on their students.
• Developed the Assertive Discipline Plan with help from his wife, Marlene Canter. (has sold over 1.5 million copies)

Canter and Associates, Inc.

• Started in 1976.
• Offers instruction for motivation, violence prevention, conflict presentation, and instructional strategies.

Teaching Principals

• I will not tolerate any student stopping me from teaching.
• I will not tolerate any student preventing another student from learning.
• I will not tolerate any student engaging in any behavior that is not in the student’s best interest and the best interest of others.
• Most importantly, whenever a student chooses to behave appropriately, I will immediately recognize and reinforce such behavior.
• Assertive teachers are the “boss” in their classroom.

Theory

• Teachers are placed in the disciplinary role while students are in a subordinate role.
• No student has a right to prevent a teacher from teaching or another student from learning and it is the responsibility of the teacher to enforce this.
• The key to this technique is catching students being “good.”
• Both appropriate and inappropriate behaviors have consequences.
• Recognize and support students when they behave appropriately.
• For Canter, students obey the rules because they get something out of it.
• The success of assertive discipline depends upon the teacher’s consistency and demeanor.

How to use Assertive Discipline in your classroom

• Dismiss the thought that there is any acceptable reason for misbehavior (other than disabilities and emotional stress).
• Decide which rules you wish to implement in your classroom.
• Limit this list to 4-5 main rules.
• Determine negative consequences for disobedience
• Determine positive consequences for appropriate behavior.
• Alongside the rules list the positive and negative consequences.

Positive Reinforcement

• Encourages appropriate behavior.
• Increases the self-esteem of students.
• Creates a positive environment.
• Establishes positive relationships.
• This can include: praise, notes, rewards, special privileges, etc.

Consequences

• Deal with the behavior calmly and quickly.
• Consequences should already be in place and appropriate for the students.
• These are things students do not enjoy.
• Hierarchy from low (warning) to high (administrator) impact on students.
• Must include a severe clause.

Weaknesses of the discipline

• According to Canter, there are only three types of teachers: non assertive, hostile, and assertive; there is no other type of discipline system.
• Canter’s “research” has been doubted by other theorists.
• Most of Canter’s research was with special needs students. Canter assumes that the system will work with all students.
• Rules and consequences are determined by an authority figure and students are told they can choose to obey or not.