The classroom has been called the experimental lab of the child. Because children spend a major part of their formative years in school, it becomes vital to examine the roles of classroom management and discipline as an important dynamic in student experience and success. A controlled classroom environment is essential for effective learning, good teacher-pupil relationships, and peer collaboration. Results of several national Gallup polls clearly document that both the general public and teachers agree that a major problem for public schools is lack of student discipline in classrooms (Elam, Rose, & Gallup, 1996; Rose & Gallup, 2003, 2004). Schools that typically have a difficult time establishing and enforcing a discipline policy regularly experience teacher burnout and turnover. Many teachers commonly find that approximately one-half of all classroom time can be taken up with activities other than instruction. It can be very difficult for teachers to receive effective training in the right strategies that will allow them more instructional time and less management of behavioral troubles.

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