OSI-Baltimore continued its series on school discipline policies with a discussion by Dr. Jeanne Poduska on the Good Behavior Game, a classroom management strategy that helps first- and second-graders learn how to be successful students and, at the same time, decrease aggressive and disruptive behavior. By teaching all kids in a classroom, not just at-risk children, how to influence and support each other in positive ways, the Good Behavior Game has proven short and long-term beneficial effects on disruptive behavior and helped children become better students. This program, which began in 1986, is currently in 12 Baltimore public schools and was featured by First Lady Laura Bush on her recent visit to Baltimore.
Drs. Sheppard Kellam, Jeanne Poduska, Carla Ford, and Amy Windham, at the American Institutes for Research, are working in partnership with the Baltimore City Public School System to test and implement the Good Behavior Game. They are integrating the findings of prevention science and education research to develop programs that offer at-risk youngsters a chance for a better future.