Improving Student Behavior in Middle Schools

Nearly eighty percent of middle and high school teachers indicate that their students suffer because of “a few persistent troublemakers”—however, decades after the popularization of zero tolerance and exclusionary discipline in schools, research shows the need for more equitable and effective responses to misbehavior.

This report discusses seven research-backed practices to respond to student misbehavior and promote positive behavior at the middle school level. The report addresses the negative consequences of zero-tolerance, exclusionary discipline practices and offers these seven practices as alternatives.