International Association of Educators   |  ISSN: 2834-7919   |  e-ISSN: 1554-5210

Original article | International Journal of Progressive Education 2014, Vol. 10(3) 18-33

A Comparative Study of Elementary Teachers’ Beliefs and Strategies on Classroom and Behavior Management in the USA and Korean School Systems

Myung-sook Koh, & Sunwoo Shin

pp. 18 - 33   |  Manu. Number: ijpe.2015.036

Published online: October 15, 2014  |   Number of Views: 56  |  Number of Download: 449


Abstract

The purpose of this cross-cultural study is to investigate elementary teachers’ beliefs and inter-cultural perspectives in classroom management (instructional environment and behavior management) for students in public schools of the U.S. and Korea. The results supported that the two groups of teachers showed similar beliefs in instructional management styles, but demonstrated significant differences in student management styles. Overall, the Korean and the U.S. participating teachers tended to have slightly more teacher-directed instructional management style, but more Korean teachers believed in teacher-directed student management styles than the U.S. teachers. U.S. classrooms had higher numbers of students with problem behaviors than Korean teachers estimated in their classrooms. A majority of Korean elementary teachers used negative methods, like punishment, as behavior management strategies while U.S. teachers used more preventative and pre-corrective strategies.

Keywords: Elementary Teachers, Teachers’ Beliefs and Strategies, Classroom Behavior Management, US and Korean School Systems


How to Cite this Article?

APA 6th edition
Koh, M. & Shin, S. (2014). A Comparative Study of Elementary Teachers’ Beliefs and Strategies on Classroom and Behavior Management in the USA and Korean School Systems . International Journal of Progressive Education, 10(3), 18-33.

Harvard
Koh, M. and Shin, S. (2014). A Comparative Study of Elementary Teachers’ Beliefs and Strategies on Classroom and Behavior Management in the USA and Korean School Systems . International Journal of Progressive Education, 10(3), pp. 18-33.

Chicago 16th edition
Koh, Myung-sook and Sunwoo Shin (2014). "A Comparative Study of Elementary Teachers’ Beliefs and Strategies on Classroom and Behavior Management in the USA and Korean School Systems ". International Journal of Progressive Education 10 (3):18-33.

References
  1. Ahrens, S., Barrett, C. E., & Holtzman, D. (1997). Social skills and problem solving skills in a middle school advisory setting. Illinois: Elementary and early childhood education. ERIC document reproduction service No. ED 411065. [Google Scholar]
  2. Beirne-Smith, M., Patton, J.R, & Shannon K. (2006). Mental retardation: An introduction to intellectual disability (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. [Google Scholar]
  3. Blanton, L. P., Blanton, W. E., & Cross, L. E. (1994). An exploratory study of how general and special education teachers think and make instructional decisions about students with special needs. Teacher Education and Special Education, 17(1), 62-74. [Google Scholar]
  4. Blatchford, P., Bassett, P., Goldstein, H., & Martine, C., (2003). Are class size differences related to pupils ‘educational progress and classroom processes? Findings from the institute of education class size study of children aged 5-7 years. British Educational Research Journal, 29(5). 709-730. [Google Scholar]
  5. Curwin, R., & Mendler, A. (1992). Discipline with dignity: Workshop participant’s handout. Rochester, NY: Discipline Associates. [Google Scholar]
  6. Drehle, D. V. (2010, August 10). The case against summer vacation, Time. [Google Scholar]
  7. Fernley, S. (2011). What is time to teach. Retrieved from http://www.timetoteachnow.com/index.html. [Google Scholar]
  8. Friend, M., & Bursuck, W. (2006). Including students with special needs. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. [Google Scholar]
  9. Gollnick, D. M., & Chinn, P. C. (1998). Multicultural education in a pluralistic society (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill/Prentice Hall. [Google Scholar]
  10. Gresham, F. M. (2004). Current status and future directions of school-based behavioral interventions. School Psychology Review, 33, 326-343. [Google Scholar]
  11. Haahr, J. H., Nielsen, T. K., Hansen, M. E., & Jakobsen, S. T. (2005). Explaining student Performance evidence from the international PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS surveys. Retrieved from www.danishtechnology.dk. [Google Scholar]
  12. Horner, R., Sugai, G., Eber, L., & Lewandowski, H. (2004). Illinois positive behavior interventions and support project: 2003-2004 progress report. University of Oregon: Center on Positive Behavior Interventions and Support & Illinois State Board of Education. [Google Scholar]
  13. Ingersoll, R. M., & Smith, T. M. (2003). The wrong solution to the teacher shortage. Educational Leadership, 60(8), 30-33. [Google Scholar]
  14. International Review of Curriculum and Assessment Framework (2005, June 16). Korea: Education structure. Retrieved from http://inca.org.uk/2139.html. [Google Scholar]
  15. Koh, M., & Shin, S. (2006). The perception and attitudes of Korean immigrant parents. International Journal of Curriculum and Leadership, 6(1), 19-39. [Google Scholar]
  16. Koh, M., Shin, S., & Lewis, E. (2008). Beyond nest: Preclinical experience abroad. MATE: Issues in Education–Preschool through Graduate, 1(1), 27-36. [Google Scholar]
  17. Koh, M., Shin, S., & Reeves, K. (2008). Korean teachers: A crisis in confidence. ESL Magazine, 63. [Google Scholar]
  18. Korea Beat (2007, Oct. 15). The state of special education in Korea. Retrieved from http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/korea-beat/-p-366. [Google Scholar]
  19. Leestma, R., & Walberg, H. (1992). Japanese educational productivity. Ann Arbor, MI: Center for Japanese Studies, University of Michigan. [Google Scholar]
  20. Levin, J., & Nolan, J. F. (2000). Principles of classroom management: A professional decision-making model (3rd ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon. [Google Scholar]
  21. Lier, P. A. C., Muthe´n, B. O., Sar, R. M., & Crijnen, A. A. M. (2004). Preventing disruptive behavior in elementary school children: Impact of a universal classroom-based intervention. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72( 3), 467–478. [Google Scholar]
  22. Macciomei, N. R., & Ruben. D. H. (1999). Behavioral management in the public schools: An urban approach. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. [Google Scholar]
  23. Martin, N., & Yin, Z. (1999). Beliefs regarding classroom management style: Differences between urban and rural secondary level teachers. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 15(2) 101-105 [Google Scholar]
  24. Miller, G. (2009). Classroom management. Center for applied special technology (CAST). Retrieved from http://www.cast.org/publications/ncac/ncac_classroom.html. [Google Scholar]
  25. Muscott, H., Mann, E., & LeBrun, M. (2008) Positive behavioral interventions and supports in New Hampshire; Effects of large-scale implementation of school wide positive behavior support on student discipline and academic achievement. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 10, 189-205. [Google Scholar]
  26. Neuendorf, K.A. (2002). The content analysis guidebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. [Google Scholar]
  27. Park, D. (2003). Questions and answers for standard class instruction time. Proposal for the Standard Instruction Time Legalization. [Google Scholar]
  28. Shimahara, N. K. (1998). Introduction. Shimahara, N. K. politics of classroom life: Classroom management in international perspective. New York and London: Garland. [Google Scholar]
  29. Shin, S., & Koh, M. (2005). Korean education in cultural context. Essays in Education, 14. [Google Scholar]
  30. Shin, S., & Koh, M. (2007). A cross-cultural study of teachers’ beliefs and strategies on classroom behavior management in the urban U.S. and Korean school systems. Education and Urban Society. 39(2). 286-309. [Google Scholar]
  31. Shin, S., & Koh, M. (2008). A cross-cultural study of students’ behaviors and classroom management strategies in the USA and Korea. Journal of International Association of Special Education, 9(1), 13-21. [Google Scholar]
  32. Stevenson, H. W. (1991). Japanese elementary school education. Elementary School Journal, 92(1). 109-120. [Google Scholar]