Consequences for Student Behavior

Appropriate consequences for our student’s behavior problems are very important because those
behaviors can get in the way the education process. These are my consequences and my
progressive scale of response for problematic student behavior; the behaviors are grouped by
level of severity:
Level 1 (Least Severe):
 Talking without raising hand
 Getting out of seat without permission
 Bringing toys to class
 Using cell phone during class
 Eating in class
 Inappropriate familiarity (kissing, hugging)

I feel like these kinds of behaviors can be stopped by reminding the student that they are
doing something they are not supposed to or by calling their attention so they can refocus.
I would first out give the student a verbal warning to stop. I would take away one
sticker/coin or a piece whatever classroom currency I use as reward system if I thought
the warning was not enough.
On the second offense I would take a bigger amount away. If they are being distracted by
an object, I would confiscate it until the end of the class. If it’s a student, I would separate
them/ move their seats.
On the third offense, I would take away the objects distracting them until the day ends
and/or temporarily take away a classroom privilege from the student. I would also have a
one on one conversation with the student about the behavior to make sure they
understand why they need to end it.
On the fourth offense, I would send an email/note home to the parents letting them know
I have had multiple talks with the student about the behavior and it is not stopping and to
please talk to them to make sure it will not be repeated. If it’s concerning enough, I
would set up a meeting with the parents to talk about the issue in order to come up with a
plan to help end the behavior. I would continue to keep checking in with them until we
see progress from the student.
Level 2:
 Sleeping in class
 Cheating, plagiarizing, or lying
 Habitual Tardiness
 Truancy

For these types of behaviors, I would take away classroom currency or in the case of
cheating/plagiarizing have the student do a supervised makeup assignment if they want to
receive a grade, but my priority would be to first sit down with the students to find out
 why this is happening and talk to them about how much this is negatively affecting their
education and why it needs to stop.
If it happened again after that, I would also send a letter/email home to the student/s
parents to inform them of the situation and make sure that they are working with their
student so that it doesn’t happen again. I would fail the student on any assignment where
they cheated and would oat most allow them to do another assignment for half credit.
If it continues I would call the parents and set up a meeting to get to the root of an issue
and create a plan to correct it. They will receive a zero for any assignment up until that
point and we would try to work toward improving for the next ones. Together we could
also come up with ways to positively reinforce the student on days when they don’t
perform the negative behavior.
If that does not work and the student or parents are not cooperative, the student could be
in danger of failing and the issue could be beyond my control. I would let the principal’s
office take over so that they can provide the appropriate help and discipline to end the
behavior.
Level 3:
 Talking Back
 Noncompliance
 Unauthorized leaving of class
 Disrupting others

For these types of behaviors, the first consequence would be to make them ineligible for
earning classroom points/currency until they show that will not continue the behavior. I
would also send an email/call home to the parents to inform them of what’s going on.
If it happens again, the student would be sent to the dean’s or principal’s office and I
would schedule a meeting with the parents and the student in the hopes of putting an end
to the behavior.
On the third time, the student would be placed in a behavioral plan structured between
me, the students, and possibly administration. I would also recommend the student to
participate in special behavioral classes or counseling until the behavior can be corrected.
Level 4:
 Theft
 Defacing school or other’s property
 Throwing objects
 Using profanity, vulgar language, or obscene gestures toward another student
 Using racial obscenities
 Harming classroom pets

This type of behavior is disruptive to other students in the classroom and keeps them
from getting the education they should be receiving so it should be taken seriously.
 I would have a serious talk to the student about why that type of behavior should never be
performed, and what their actions are saying about them. I think about what they are
doing and write a journal type paper about think about what they did. I would call the
parents right away and let them know that there is a problem with their child’s behavior
that is affecting the other kids.
If I cannot get through to them at all, I would proceed to send the student to the
principal’s office so that I can separate them from the situation and the other students. On
top of whatever discipline they give the student I would also contact their parents and set
up a meeting with them and the student to discuss the problem and hope to find a
common ground solution.
If the student or, because unfortunately these types of issues are often learned at homes,
so if the parent’s aren’t willing to cooperate the next step would be to recommend the
student for counseling and possibly placing them in a special education behavioral class
so that they can learn to manage their behaviors better.
Level 5 (Very Severe):
 Teacher assault or verbal abuse
 Fighting with another student
 Abusive conduct to others
 Procession of a weapon

These are severe behavioral issues that can cause harm to other in the classroom.
At the first offense, the student should be taken to the principal’s/dean’s office for them
to decide the appropriate punishment. Parents should be called immediately and notified
of the behavior and I would recommend student for special counceling/psychological
evaluation. Student should be suspended from school until a meeting has been had
between the principal, the teacher, the parents, the student, and possibly a counselor in
order to find the root of the problem and evaluate if it is safe to allow the student back
into the classroom. If they come back into the classroom, the student should apologize to
those he hurt or attempted to hurt.
If this behavior is repeated, it is severe enough to recommend an expulsion or a
temporary placement in a behavioral school.