Win-Win Discipline

By: Dr. Spencer Kagan, Sally Scott, and Patricia Kyle

What is the purpose of the program?

The purpose of this program is to show teachers that there is a reason why there is a discipline problem in the classroom. Any time a student acts out, he/she is acting out because one of his/her needs are not being met. The goal of using win-win discipline is that the teacher realizes what is at the root of the student's misbehavior, then figures out a way to meet those needs within acceptable parameters. Therefore, the student has his/her needs met and as a result the behavior changes, creating a win win situation for both parties involved. The program also focuses on the choice that each student is able to make and encourages students to feel empowered to make the right choices as they are the only ones who can be in control of their behaviors.

Is this program intended for school-wide use, one classroom, or for an individual student?

While a whole school may choose to implement this program, explain the procedures, and have its teachers trained in this discipline program, it is up to each individual classroom teacher to actually implement the program and use its strategies when the discipline problem occurs. This is a "heat of the moment" strategy that can be used.

What are the salient elements of the program?

This program states that the reason for misbehavior comes from one of seven "positions" that a student demonstrates. These positions are where the student is coming from and where the teacher must seek to direct her solution to the problem:

1. Attention Seeking

2. Avoiding Embarassment

3. Anger Venting

4. Control Seeking

5. Energetic

6. Bored

7. Uninformed

Knowing the root of the problem (the position) is critical for being able to correctly address and change the misbehavior.

There are 5 P's that the program focuses around. These are both preventative and "in the moment" strategies.

1. Pillars (Philosophy)

• • Same Side

  • Shared Responsibility

  • Learned Responsibility

2. Procedures (Ounces of Prevention)

• • preventive measures to ensure students' needs are met.

  • Ex.) Greeting students at the door meets the need for attention.

3. Positions (Places students are)

• • accept the student's position, not the disruptive behavior.

4. Process (Strategies for the moment of disruption and follow ups)

• • Identify the behavior

  • Identify the position

  • Respond in the moment to match the behavior and the position

  • Follow Up with the Student

5. Program (Pounds of Prevention)

• • Creating other preventive measures throughout the school to ensure students can make the right decisions.

How is the program implemented? Is special training required for implementation?

What is the research base supporting this program? (Describe briefly)

What do you see as strengths of the program?

What do you see as drawbacks?

What steps would need to be taken to present this program to a school for consideration or to implement this program in an existing situation?

What are potential obstacles to schools 'buying into' this program, and what would you recommend to reduce or avoid these obstacles?

What is the cost of the program and where can it be purchased?

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