Behavioural Problems in Canadian Schools Require Early Intervention through Effective Incident Management

Despite their best efforts, teachers often feel frustrated and powerless when confronting behavioural problems in the classroom. They want to help students with behaviour problems, but they are often strapped for time or they don't have the support they need to succeed. Elementary school student and high school student behaviour problems can lead to crisis; in the classroom, at school, and in the community. Too often, meaningful school support is not readily available. Too often, information about troubled and defiant students is not routinely shared amongst colleagues and it's only after a major problem has developed that information is collected and studied.

It is crucial that teachers, principals, school board and parents work as a team to help students who display defiant, aggressive or other harmful behaviours. Though the sharing of information, trends can be quickly discovered, giving authorities the advantage of early intervention. School psychologists strongly agree that early identification and intervention can facilitate positive student behaviour and go a long way in the prevention of serious behaviour problems before they start. Preventing behaviour problems in the school enhances learning by reducing conflict. A proactive approach encourages positive student behavior school-wide. Teachers can devote more class time to teaching and less to disruptions caused by troubled students, resulting in enhance learning for all students and safer schools.

"A team approach gives educators the information they need to act before a minor incident has the chance to escalate," states Gerard Engen, teacher and founder of Incident Management Program (http://www.theimp.ca, a networking and information management tool developed for educators to store and access reports, identify students with behavior problems, track student progress, and foster positive behaviour. "In the early stages, telling clues that a student is heading for trouble can easily be over looked or dismissed as a onetime occurrence. If problems observed can be recorded and made available for colleagues, more eyes and ears in the play ground can be a powerful tool when monitoring student behaviour. A student's behaviour may not seem serious until a pattern of similar behaviours and incidents have been observed and reported. When information is shared amongst colleagues, successful intervention strategies can be implemented sooner, before a major problem develops. Having an efficient way for educators to share and access student information is critical," says Engen.
The most effective way to solve school behaviour problems and promote positive behaviour is for teachers, principals and school administrators to work together. When educators know on a daily basis what is going on in their schools, student behaviour problems can be identified early and dealt with in a timely manner. By keeping colleagues well informed on student's behavioural issues, staff members can work in unison to develop support and implement programs to change behaviours and assist in the monitoring progress. Research has proven that learning and development is most rapid in young school age children. It is important that intervention, support and assistance begin as early as possible to curtail unwanted behaviours and guide a child's development. A proactive approach is most effective in promoting positive behaviour and preventing disruptive behaviours like bullying, leading to a safer, happier school, and a better environment for learning.
About Incident Management Program: An online computer program designed to assist educators in the management of students with behaviour problems, The Incident Management Program helps to identify students in need and co-ordinates the assistance and support they require. The Incident Management Program is an effective behaviour management system where educators can efficiently record, collect, and organized incident information, watch student behavioural trends, and take a proactive approach in stopping bullying and other negative behaviours. Visit http://www.theimp.ca for more information about the Incident Management Program.

Contact Information:
Gerard Engen
Incident Management Program
PO Box 441
Norman Wells, NT X0E 0V0
Canada
250 448 1829
sales@theimp.ca
http://www.theimp.ca