Classroom Management Styles

Classroom Management Styles

Authoritarian
Authoritative
Permissive
Indulgent
Authoritarian
Teachers in this category are quick to jump on every
behavior that is not acceptable in the classroom.
Support and positive reinforcement, however, are rare.
The authoritarian teacher may use a loud voice to get
the attention of her students. She may act shocked and
angry when students dont follow her directives. The
benefit of this style is that the teacher frequently
gets the immediate compliance from her students. The
cost of the authoritarian style includes student anxiety
and minimal long-term positive effects. No student
enjoys a teachers yelling. Although kids may comply
out of fear, this teaching technique rarely produces
behavioral changes that last over time.
Authoritarian
The authoritarian style tends to be
characterized by numerous behavioural
regulations, is often seen as punitive and
restrictive, and students have neither a say in
their management, nor are they seen to need
explanations; the teacher's character is
sometimes perceived as being cold, even
punishing.
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Authoritative
The authoritative teacher is the ideal, though this
approach is easier said than done! This teacher
has a positive, kind and supportive relationship
with her students, but they know when she
means business. Because she has an effective
discipline plan and her classroom is orderly, the
students trust her and respect her. There is more
time for academics. This teacher feels
empowered and energized because she sees
positive growth and development in her
students. Her students feel safe as well as
capable.
Authoritative
The authoritative style is characterized by
behavioral principles, high expectations of
appropriate behavior, clear statements about why
certain behaviors are acceptable and others not
acceptable, and warm student-teacher
relationships.

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Permissive

Teachers in this category are often too nice. They want
students to like them and they want to be helpful, so they
are warm and supportive but not very good at setting
limits. Permissive teachers may focus on effort while de-
emphasizing the quality of students productions.
Disruptive behavior may be ignored or handled with weak,
soft-spoken reprimands or pleading. While warmth and
support are good qualities, students still appreciate
discipline even if they dont show it. The cost of the
permissive style is a classroom that is out of control.
Constructive learning does not flow well. While students
may describe a permissive teacher as nice and easy,
when push comes to shove they do not feel that they can
trust her to take care of problem situations.
Permissive
The permissive style is characterized by a lack
of involvement, the environment is non-
punitive, there are few demands on students,
and there is a lot of freedom.


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Indulgent (overly generous of lenient)
The indulgent style presents an environment
where there are no demands on the student
of any sort, and the students are actively
supported in their efforts to seek their own
ends using any reasonable means.

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