Free resources to help school leaders manage classroom behaviour
Resources have been developed by the Australian Education Resource Organisation and the government is providing free access for schools.
More than 70 percent of school principals report working with teachers on classroom discipline problems at least once a week. They also report more frequently spending time on discipline problems than other leadership issues.
The Federal Government has announced a new range of free resources to help school leaders implement whole-school approaches to managing classroom behaviour. The new resources use a whole-of-school approach, which will help school leaders create safe and supportive learning environments to promote teaching and learning.
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They also support school leaders to consider how their current approaches align with evidence-based approaches and identify areas of current practice to strengthen.
Education Minister Jason Clare said: “By providing these resources to principals and school leaders we can help them to set clear expectations around behaviour across the whole school, which is good for teachers and good for their students.
“When students are fully engaged in the classroom, they learn at their best and teachers have more time to teach.”
Evidence shows the impact of effective classroom management is strengthened when it is practised as part of a consistent, effective whole-school approach. This in turn can increase positive student behaviour, reduce negative behaviour and improve learning outcomes for all students.
Dr Jenny Donovan, CEO of AERO, said well-managed classrooms positively impact individual student outcomes and the overall learning environment for everyone. “Students thrive in classrooms where they are engaged in learning without distractions; where they feel safe; and where they know what is expected of them”
These resources offer “evidence-based guidance to teachers about explicitly teaching students the expected behaviours, so that all classrooms are filled with students who are ready to learn,” said Dr Donovan.
This is the second set of ‘Engaged Classrooms’ resources developed by the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) in consultation with teachers and classrooms management expert, Dr Tim McDonald. It complements the first set of free resources for teachers released last December, with the third set of resources to be released in early 2025.
The resources have been designed with practicality in mind, recognising the challenges that come with leading a shcool. Step-by-step guidance is provided to support teachers in integrating strategies into their daily practice. For newer teachers, the resources offer clear instructions on how to establish effective classroom management from the beginning of their careers. More experienced teachers are provided with an opportunity to reflect on and refine existing practices, ensuring they are using the most current and effective methods.
Dr Donovan notes, “By refining their classroom management, teachers will see increased student focus on learning and fewer disruptions, which will subsequently enable teachers to focus more on teaching, leading to improved outcomes for all students.”
The new resources include a whole-school approach facilitation guide and professional learning resources, and are available at AERO’s website.
