As a school leader, you will have noticed the interest media and the community have in conversations about behaviour in schools. It is remarkable how quickly the commentary goes to ‘traditional’ notions of classroom management, and words like ‘discipline’ start being thrown around.
The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) focuses on creating classroom environments where students are truly engaged in their learning. This means ensuring students understand the expectations about how they should behave, so everyone has the best chance to learn.
AERO has developed a suite of professional learning resources, offering practical strategies that can enhance student behaviour and engagement across your school. We have used the evidence to equip school leaders to take a contemporary and whole-school approach to managing classrooms to be successful environments for learning.
These resources are designed to help you and your staff create classrooms where students are not only complying with expectations but genuinely involved and excited about their learning. With these evidence-based tools at your disposal, you can lead your school towards this new standard of educational excellence.
A reminder on why engaged classrooms matter
In any school, effective classroom management is key to student success. It's about more than just maintaining order – it’s about creating an environment where students feel safe, supported and ready to learn. When classrooms are well-managed, disruptions are reduced, expectations are clear and students can focus more on their studies. This benefits not just individual students but also improves the overall learning environment for everyone.
Dr Jenny Donovan, CEO of AERO, emphasises this point: '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 new resources provide evidence-based strategies that you and your teachers can use to create and maintain well-managed classrooms. They are adaptable to the unique needs of different schools and classrooms, making them invaluable tools for your leadership.
Leading a whole-school approach
One of the most effective ways to manage classrooms is through a consistent, whole-school approach. When your entire staff shares a common language and set of expectations, students benefit from a more predictable and supportive learning environment. This consistency across the school helps reduce behavioural issues and allows students to focus on their learning, leading to improved outcomes.
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.
The resources include several key tools designed to help you lead professional learning sessions within your school:
- Whole-school approach facilitation guide: a comprehensive guide to help school leaders to lead staff in professional learning to support their whole-school approach to classroom management.
- Whole-school approach professional learning resources: slide decks with preparation and facilitator notes designed to provide a starting point for building knowledge about the evidence base for classroom management and the school’s approach.
- Preparation and facilitator notes: detailed notes that assist in preparing for and delivering these professional learning sessions, ensuring they are impactful and aligned with school goals and evidence.
Practical tools for school leaders
These resources are designed with practicality in mind, recognising the challenges that come with leading a school. They provide step-by-step guidance to support your teachers in integrating these 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. For more experienced teachers, they provide an opportunity to reflect on and refine existing practices, ensuring they are using the most current and effective methods.
As 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.'
Strengthening your school’s future
As you begin to use these resources, you’ll likely see significant benefits in your school. With a consistent approach to classroom management, your teachers will spend less time managing disruptions and more time focusing on teaching. This, in turn, creates a more conducive environment for student learning, leading to better educational outcomes.
These tools are designed to support you in your role as a school leader, helping you create and sustain a positive learning environment for all students. By embracing these strategies, you can ensure that your school continues to provide a safe, supportive and effective educational experience for every student.
Keywords: engagement, disruption, disruptive behaviour