Theories of

Assertive Tactics
(Lee Canter &
Marlene Canter)

Definition
Assertive Discipline is an approach to
classroom management developed by
Lee and Marlene Canter.
It involves a high level of teacher control
in the class.
It also called the take-control
approach to teaching, as the teacher
controls their classroom in a firm but
positive manner.

The approach maintains that teachers

must establish rules and directions
that clearly define the limits of
acceptable and unacceptable student
behavior, teach these rules and
directions, and ask for assistance from
parents or administrators when
support is needed in handling the
behavior of students.

Strategies
Rewards & Punishment
Teachers can develop a specific behavior

plan based on the school model.

Consisting of a few simple yet specific

rules along with the rewards for

following the rules and the
consequences of breaking them.
Plan should be displayed in the

classroom and distributed to parents

 Consequences or punishments, might

include exclusion from certain classroom

privileges, time-out, contact with the
parent or guardian, referral to an
administrator, or detention.
Teachers can maintain a record of

consequences by marking names on a

clipboard or adopting whatever manner
they consider easiest.

Discipline Hierarchy
The Canters suggest that teachers use

a discipline hierarchy that informs

students of consequences and the order
in which they will be imposed.
Example of discipline hierarchy:

1) The first time a student disrupts or

breaks a classroom rule, the teacher
issues a warning by saying, Stevie, the
direction was to work without disrupting
the class. This is a warning.

2) The second or third time the same

students disrupts in the same day, the
teacher says Stevie, our rule is no talking
while working. You have chosen to take a
5-minute time-out at the back table.
3) The fourth time the same student
disrupts by knocking his books off his
desk, the teacher says, Stevie, you know
our rule about classroom disruptions. You
have chosen to have your parents
notified. In this case, the teacher typically
gives the parents a call or sends a note
home.

4) The fifth time the same student

disrupts the class in any way, the
teacher says, Stevie, our class rule
is no disruptions. You have chosen
to go to the office to talk with the
principal about your behavior.

Appropriate Consequences
The Canters (2001) maintain that

consequences should be appropriate

for the grade level and should
reflect the difference in the
developmental and psychological
levels of the students.
Similar yet slightly different

discipline hierarchies for the primary

and upper elementary grades.

 For example, for primary grades, a second

misbehavior might result in the teacher

keeping the child near, but apart from the
group, for a short time. Should the child
misbehave a third time, the teacher
removes the child from the group for a
longer period of time.
An effective consequences for upper

elementary grades, a behavior journal

would provides a place where students
write accounts of their misbehavior,
reasons for breaking the rule, and
alternative actions that they might or
should have taken.