Through an analysis of 7, semi-structured, one-on-one, open-ended interviews and relying on methodological principles from interpretive social science (ISS) and critical social sciences (CSS) this graduate thesis uncovers the voices of youth who have been suspended and/or expelled from a public secondary school in Ontario. Youth in this study spoke to the impact that being suspended and/or expelled had on school climate through describing the adverse changes that they experienced in regards to their relationships with their peers, and school professionals. A unique contribution from my study is a participant’s description of an experience of suspension, which I interpreted as being caused by, the behavioural targeting of a student living with a disability. Many of the participants also explained how the use of disciplinary procedures that rely on sending a student home from school for x amount of days can affect students’ academic progress and success. Furthermore, the similarities between the treatment of disciplined students in the education system, and the treatment of criminal offenders in the justice system found in this study, included: the use of punitive discipline, increased surveillance, and the involvement of the police in disciplinary processes. The youth in this study recognize that the use of suspension and expulsion does not dig beneath the surface and address the root of the problem, and agree that this approach to school discipline is ineffective in regards to correcting behaviour. Finally, all of the youth in this study suggested the development and implementation of more supportive approaches to addressing and preventing unsafe and inappropriate behaviour in schools that aim to keep students in school while resolving the problem. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)

This is a study to determine a sound, positive disciplinary policy for secondary schools.

Surveys provide some of the most vital information to statisticians, allowing them a glimpse into the minds of respondents. With such importance, it is imperative to properly analyze surveys to ensure that the conclusions reached truly address the analytical goals. To confront this issue squarely, this thesis analyzes a particular set of surveys collected from a group of students at a local elementary school before and after the implementation of a program called Conscious Discipline, which is designed to combat behavioral issues in the classroom. With the goal of determining whether or not the students' attitudes toward their school environment changed, three analysis methods are considered. The final method, a usage of Kendall's Tau which involves the comparison of a ranked set of survey responses from an expert to the responses of the students, is determined to address the goal the most efficiently and is explored at length. The heart of the investigation entails the utilization of a program to generate the distribution of the test statistic. With the distribution in place, the test statistic is calculated for the specific survey data and compared, to determine if Conscious Discipline has truly made a difference for this particular group of students.

This paper discusses corporal punishment as a disciplinary method in American public schools. The effectiveness of corporal punishment is investigated. Chapter I introduces corporal punishment as a pertinent educational issue. Chapter II discusses the historical development of corporal punishment. Chapter III discusses the legal ramifications of corporal punishment. Chapter IV looks at surveys and studies that have been conducted in regard to the issue. Chapter V discusses a survey of teachers in Lewisville, Texas. Teachers responded to 42 statements pertaining to corporal punishment. Chapter VI concludes that research indicates that corporal punishment will not be effective unless it is administered harshly and consistently. The paper concludes that corporal punishment will not be necessary if higher educational institutions train teachers in alternative methods.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Education, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Education degree. / Educationalists throughout the ages have supported the belief that corporal punishment creates harmful effects and should be avoided at all costs. Furthermore, corporal punishment has been found to be neither effective nor permanent in stopping undesirable behaviour in the classroom. Despite the evidence however, South Africa frequently used corporal punishment for the sake of discipline, social control and even 'moral education'. In the not too distant past, it was sanctioned by law, by parents and by teachers (Rice, 1987). However, in 1994 judicial corporal punishment was outlawed and corporal punishment at schools became unconstitutional (clause 3(n) of the National Education Policy Bill, 1995; clause 22 of the Gauteng Schools Education Bill). While policy and legislatlon must play their role, this is not enough to bring about a change in the practices and perceptions of teacher's at the grass roots. An understanding of its harmful effects, and recognition of alternatives is necessary in order to bring about its complete abolishment. This study investigates teachers' and pupils attitudes to corporal punishment as well as what discipline strategies are being used and are considered effective. A sample of teachers and pupils were randomly selected from private, oommunity and public high school types. A total of 602 subjects participated in this study (240 teachers and 362 pupils). Responses to an anonymous questionnaire were tabulated and analysed. Findings demonstrated that teachers are ambivalent towards corporal, punishment, while pupils are clearly anti-corporal punishment; and support its abolishment. Teachers do report Key Words: corporal punishment , classroom discipline. alternative discipline strategies used in the classroom. / AC2017

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1992.

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 86-91).

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 115-119).