Canter, Lee
From WikEd
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Assertive discipline was developed by Lee and Marlene Canter in 1976. They developed this system because they saw that teachers were often unable to get rid of unwanted behaviors in the classroom. They attributed this problem to a lack of training in behavior management.
The Canters believe that no student should ever prevent a teacher from teaching or keep another student from learning.
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[edit] Canter and Associates, Inc.
This company was founded by Lee and Marlene Canter in 1976. They used this company to market their assertive discipline program. Canter has expanded from merely selling the many books and other publications regarding discipline. They also market products aimed at education teachers on other topics like: motivation, violence prevention, conflict resolution, and instructional strategies. They provide professional development training for teachers, and materials that can be used by universities for degree programs and graduate level course work.
[edit] Opposition to the Canters' Assertive Discipline
Richard Curwin and Allen Mendler (1)
Curwin and Mendler developed the "Discipline with Dignity" program, and are strong opponents of Assertive Discipline. They think that students should be taught to be more self-disciplined. Canter's use of rewards and punishments gives students the idea that they follow the rules to avoid punishment or to recieve rewards, not because it is the right or wrong thing to do. They go on to say that such a system might even teach students that is ok to break the rules as long as you don't get caught because a teacher will not be able to be there ready to hand out a punishment every time the student misbehaves.
[edit] Lee Canter's Homework Tips for Parents*
1. Establish daily homework time.
2. Emphasize the importance of homework.
3. Gather homework supplies in one place so your child does not waste time looking for pens and pencils etc.
4. Enforce the homework time; check to make sure your child starts on time.
5. Check completed homework every day.
6. Put homework in a place where the child will not forget to take it to school.
7. Work with the teacher to correct any persisting homework problems.
[edit] Personal Testimony
I am not going to give my name for this example, but when I was student teaching I ran was exposed to an out of control classroom. The classroom was chaotic and the students were willingly and purposely causing distractions of every type. The result was a classroom that was dirty and uncontrolable. I used assertive discipline techniques to regain control of the classroom, although I didn't realize at the time it was assertive discipline. Today, I do not ascribe to assertive discipline techniques, but I am sure if I find myself in that position again, I would react the same way.
I also used Assertive discipline in my techniques. I used this in a classroom full of first graders and it worked wonders on the class. All students knew the rules, consequences and rewards for each step and could tell you exactly what would happen when. Now that I am teaching middle school, this is not effective for me. I tried this method the first two months of my first year teaching and I was very ineffective. What I know now is that I have to cater the discipline to the individual. If the goal is to change the behavior, then you have to find something for that student that will have that be the end result. IF you have the system in place 1-2-3, then this is not bound to take place. Personal Experiences: Jackie Baxter
As a creative, excited and motivated teacher I would never use such a simple-minded model in my classroom. When students are loud, not disciplined and "uncontrolable" they are bored. As an effective teacher I have to run a good show and keep them excited and busy. I need to care about every individuum and his/her personal needs. As a teacher I focus to challenge them with an interesting curriculum and establish a positive classroom environment that does the job. Felix Autenrieth
[edit] More Information
Check out these books:
Lee & Marlene Canter. (1993). Succeeding with difficult students: New strategies for reaching your most challenging students. Santa Monica, CA: Canter and Associates.
Lee & Marlene Canter. (1992). Assertive discipline: Positive behavior management for today's classroom. Santa Monica, CA: Canter and Associates.
Lee Canter. (1979). Discipline: You can do it! Instructor, 89(2), 106-112.
Lee & Marlene Canter (1976, 1982). Assertive discipline: A take-charge approach for today's educator. Los Angeles: Canter and Associates.
Lee and Marlene Canter (1982). Assertive discipline for parents. Los Angeles: Canter and Associates.
[edit] SOURCES
1. Curwin, R.L., et. al., "Discipline with dignity": beyond obedience. The Education Digest v. 63 (December 1997) p. 11-14
http://maxweber.hunter.cuny.edu/pub/eres/EDSPC715_MCINTYRE/AssertiveDiscipline.html
J.W. Eater Junior High. Teaching Experience. Rantoul, IL: 2000-2004
Millikin University. Student Teaching. Decatur, IL: 2000.
"*" Canter, L. Help It's Homework Time (1995) L Canter & Associates.
