Lee and Marlene Canter developed Assertive Discipline to address classroom behavioral issues. It focuses on establishing clear rules and expectations for students and consistently enforcing consequences. The approach aims to build structure and positive relationships in the classroom, in contrast to a hostile teaching style involving humiliation, threats or physical punishment. Assertive Discipline involves creating a few simple rules, determining consequences, explaining the system to students, and immediately recognizing and addressing both appropriate and inappropriate behaviors.

1. Assertive Discipline
Lee & Marlene Canter

2. Part I: The Cantors
Background In
● Lee Cantor worked in the social work field for several years. He then focused
on teacher training and school consultation as a career.
● Marlene was teaching special education as she pursued the study of child
development and special education techniques.
● During Marlene’s teaching experience, she encountered a child whose
behavior was so disruptive that she needed to search for new techniques that
would help the child to reach his full potential.
● Lee and Marlene Canter, when consulting for school systems, found that
many teachers were unable to manage the undesirable behavior that
occurred in their classrooms.
By: Chantal Millard

3. The Canters Cont.
● Lee and Marlene began researching disciplinary problems in the classroom,
as well as those methods used by successful teachers to handle these
problems.
● Thus, Assertive Discipline came about and became the Canters main focus..
● The focus began with a behavior management plan based on consistency,
clear expectations, follow-through, and the development of positive
relationships.
By: Chantal Millard

4. Part II: Assertive Discipline
● Assertive discipline was developed by the Lee and Marlene Canter to
help bring structure and organization to the classroom.
● Assertive discipline is set up around a teacher-in-charge classroom
environment.
● The Canters believed teachers:
○ Should determine what is best for their students.
○ React confidently and quickly to student behavior.
○ Have few classroom rules that are easy to understand, and enforce those
rules consistently.
○ Give firm, clear, and concise direction. Entry by Ted Young
McIntyre, T. (n.d.). Assertive discipline. Retrieved February 24, 2018, from
http://www.behavioradvisor.com/AssertiveDiscipline.html

5. Assertive Discipline Cont.
● Assertive discipline is about:
○ Building positive and trusting relationships with students.
○ Teaching students what is appropriate classroom behavior by:
● Describing ● Reviewing
● Modeling ● Encouraging
● Practicing ● Rewarding
Entry by Ted Young
McIntyre, T. (n.d.). Assertive discipline. Retrieved February 24, 2018, from
http://www.behavioradvisor.com/AssertiveDiscipline.html

6. Part III: Assertive Discipline vs. Hostile Teacher
Hostile Teachers often use…
● Abusive, derogatory responses
● Physical punishment or negative touch control
● Threats and ultimatums
● Embarrassments to humiliate
● Extra homework or group punishments
● Taped mouths (extreme cases)
Entry by Amanda Addleman
References:
—Carjuzaa, Jioanna & Kellough, Richard D. 2017 Teaching in the Middle and Secondary
Schools 11th Edition Chapters 4; Page 103-106 Publisher: Pearson Education

7. Part III: Assertive Discipline vs. Hostile Teacher
Assertive Teachers…
● React quickly & confidently
● Consistently explain, practice and enforce classroom
rules
● Give firm, clear, concise directions
● Reinforce compliance & implement negative
consequences for disobedience
● Are not passive, timid, inconsistent or non-directive
Entry by Amanda Addleman
References:
--McIntyre, Tom. pulled 2018 from Blackboard at Brandman.edu “Assertive Discipline”
http://www.behavioradvisor.com/AssertiveDiscipline.html

8. Part IV: How to Use Assertive Discipline in the Classroom
THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY:
● Dismiss the thought that there is any acceptable reason for misbehavior!
● Create 4 or 5 specific rules that your students can easily understand.
● Choose 3-6 negative consequences, each more punitive than the previous.
● Determine positive consequences for appropriate behavior (e.g. raffle tickets, class parties, etc.)
● Conduct a meeting with the students to explain why rules are needed!
● Have your students write the rules and take them home to be signed.

9. Part IV: How to Use Assertive Discipline in the Classroom
● Implement the program IMMEDIATELY and tell students what he or she should be doing!
● Recognize and quickly respond to appropriate behavior!
● Give students a choice between the command or a consequence!
● Teach and role-play actions in order to promote responsible behavior in the classroom…
● Use proximity praise (praise behaving students who are near misbehaving students)!
● Use proximity control (e.g. move toward your misbehaving students, etc.)