Cooperative Discipline is a unique and innovative approach to classroom management and violence prevention that is based on shifting the discipline paradigm from controlling student behavior through rewards and punishment to managing and motivating student behavior by building internal self-control and helping all students make better choices. It is a philosophy with a democratic premise: that all students in grades K-12, no matter what their background or
current level of functioning, have the potential for learning to behave appropriately and for becoming responsible citizens of the school community.
Cooperative Discipline teaches students an approach to classroom management and violence prevention that is consistent with optimum student growth - academically, socially and psychologically. Cooperative Discipline guides students through an active change process that involves:
- using corrective, supportive, and preventive strategies for achieving order and control in the classroom,
- encouraging a positive class climate,
- promoting enhanced self-concept for all students,
- establishing effective partnerships between teachers and parents, teachers and students, teachers and teachers, and teachers and administrators.
Cooperative Discipline recognizes the needs of adult learners and is structured to include instructor presentations, videos of classroom scenes from the Cooperative Discipline and Responsible Kids series, discussions, dramatizations, demonstrations, experiential exercises, cooperative learning groups, self-assessments and closure activities.