EdPsy 399 OL
Lesson 2, Question 2 - Response to Evertson
Todd Mickley

I am certainly surprised that a reference text, especially one used in the field of education, would not mention assertive discipline. Education can be defined as the systematic study of the methods and theories of teaching and learning. Therefore, an educational text used in teaching educational psychology should not ignore the most widely used of all discipline systems. (Charles, p84)

In the author's response to an inquiry of why it was left out, she references the label of psychological maltreatment given to assertive discipline by the American Psychological Association in an article published in APA Monitor, January 1988. I am not sure when the original inquiry was submitted, but given the amount of refining the Canters have done to their discipline program over the past twelve years, perhaps they have addressed the issues of concern mentioned in the article. As stated Charles' Classroom Discipline:

"The Canters continually modify their approach to ensure that it remains effective as social realities change. Earlier they focused on teachers being strong leaders in the classroom, while now they emphasize the building of a trusting and helpful relationship between teachers and students."

Even if they have not addressed the issues of concern, every teacher, class, subject, and situation is different. No single plan will fit every situation. (Allen) Therefore, the students of educational psychology should still have the opportunity to view the ideas and theories in assertive discipline and come to their own conclusion on how this system affects students.

At the heart of Canters' assertive discipline model are the rights of both the student and the teacher. Students have the right to learn in a safe calm environment in which they know the rules and the consequences for not following those rules. They have the opportunity to choose to follow the rules or deal with the consequences. This is part of the controversy concerning assertive discipline. Are the students being taught to follow orders or about the social etiquette? (Anderson) The Canters' discipline model is based on a set of rules, positive recognition to those who meet class expectations, and consequences of not following the rules. The model is centered on the fair and consistent use of these three ingredients. This is the same general framework for any social situation. For example, of you accidentally bump into some one walking down the street there is a social expectation that you would apologize to that person. If you choose not to, that person or other people that saw you may ridicule you. Canters' model is essentially the equivalent to our society's laws specifically designed for a classroom setting. These laws and rules help model our behavior so we can live in a safe environment. The rules in an assertive discipline classroom are there to help model the students' behavior, so all students can learn in a calm and safe environment.

The other in reason given for leaving assertive discipline out of the textbook was the doubt of assertive discipline's effectiveness. Once again I will reference Tom Anderson's commentary on assertive discipline. In the section on the effectiveness of the model he states "research which assesses the effectiveness of a system as comprehensive as assertive discipline is very difficult". He also uses the fact that 13 of the 14 studies used Emmer and Aussiker review, the same review as the author quotes in her reply, were dissertations by graduate students to point out that "virtually no experimental researcher has made this a line of investigation a serious program of research." Although there may not be research findings that support the use of the assertive discipline model, it should be included in the text as a reference to aspiring and current teachers to try if they believe it would be beneficial to their students and themselves.

I understand that the author did not include assertive discipline because she did not believe there was enough value in the assertive discipline model. However, the author might serve the students better if the model was explained thoroughly and pointed out her concerns and the models shortcomings.

Allen, Thomas H.,Ph.D. Developing a Discipline Plan for You
Anderson, Tom. Commentary on assertive discipline
Anderson, Tom. Inquiry to Carolyn Evertson about the exclusion of assertive discipline from her textbook.
Charles, C.M. Building Classroom Discipline. 1999. p82-101.
Evertson, Carolyn. Email response to Tom Anderson's inquiry
Webster's Dictionary, Education.