Assertive vs. Positive Discipline
What are the differences and similarities?
The Canter Approach
Canter employs the technique of assertive discipline in establishing good classroom management. This technique employs a teacher setting definitive rules and consequences for the classroom and sticking to these things strictly. Canter uses the following 5 steps to develop an assertive discipline plan for your classroom:
- Acquire approval from your administration and establish a parental notification system.
- Establish classroom rules.
- Provide positive reinforcement to students.
- Develop a set of consequences to disobedient students.
- Have a Severity Plan, or a plan of removal for students misbehaving severely.
The Jones Approach
The Jones approach to classroom management is through positive discipline. The basic 6 steps for setting up a positive discipline plan are:
- Set up your classroom for the best control of students.
- Establish your classroom rules.
- Employ Limit Setting methods and provide backups for when it is ineffective.
- Train students to be responsible for their misbehavior and the consequences for their behavior.
- Provide rewards for good group behavior.
- Use Omission Training for students who do not follow the classroom rules.
Similarities Between Assertive & Positive Discipline
Canter & Jones both believe in establishing solid classroom rules to make sure that students know exactly what is expected of them. They both require a set of consequences to be established so that each rule that is broken has an appropriate disciplinary action. Both Canter & Jones also set up a rewards or positive feedback program to reward thos students who behave well and follow the rules.
Differences Between Assertive & Positive Discipline
The biggest difference between Canter's Assertive approach and Jones' Positive approach is that Jones is more hands on where Canter's is more logic based. Canter believes that students should be able to be responsible for their own behavior and consequences. Jones believes that students need a more positive, visual approach.