Pupils benefit from teachers’ management training [IrishExaminer]
- Published: 03 March 2011
PUPILS whose teachers take classroom management training are better behaved and have a better chance in the education system, research suggests.
The study examined the behaviour of 217 pupils in 22 infant classes at 11 Limerick schools, some of whose staff had undertaken a teacher classroom management (TCM) programme. It found that conduct and behavioural problems among pupils of staff in the training group were reduced, compared to those whose teachers had not done the training.
They also showed a significant decrease in emotional symptoms.
The research team led by Dr Sinéad McGilloway of National University of Ireland Maynooth found that the programme was most beneficial for children who are most at risk, with significant improvements in overall behavioural difficulties, peer problems, general distress and social impairment.
Dr McGilloway said Irish classrooms have seen a steady increase in behavioural issues in recent years.
"Without adequate intervention at the earliest possible stage, these can lead to academic failure, early school leaving and a cycle of antisocial behaviour that can continue through to adolescence and adulthood," she said.
Dr McGilloway said the average training cost of around €100 per child was exceptional monetary value to the education system.
It has supported hundreds of teachers to deal with social, emotional and behavioural problems in the classroom.
