Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

1975

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

October 2026

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

Kirby, John T.

Abstract

It was the, purpose of this study to determine the attitudes of eighth grade middle school students in selected functional middle school centers regarding: (l) disciplinary practices; (2) the seriousness of disciplinary offenses; (3) the fairness of disciplinary action utilized for disciplinary offenses; and (4) the effectiveness of disciplinary action utilized for disciplinary offenses. Data were obtained by means of a questionnaire designed to measure subjective responses on Likert-type scales from eighth grade middle school students. The following conclusions seem to be warranted from the analysis of the data in the study: A majority of students perceived that their middle school center had a moderate disciplinary climate. The eighth grade middle school student had a realistic attitude concerning the seriousness of disciplinary offenses. The misuse of drugs, smoking tobacco, and possessing harmful articles were ranked as most serious, respectively. Gambling, forging school passes or excuses, and lying were considered least serious offenses. The fairness of the disciplinary action utilized for disciplinary offenses was perceived by students to be fair for all offenses considered in the study. The effectiveness of the disciplinary action utilized for disciplinary offenses was perceived by students to be effective for all offenses considered in the study. The relationships between the seriousness of each disciplinary offense and the fairness of the disciplinary action utilized indicated that there was consistency between the seriousness of the offense and the fairness of the disciplinary action utilized for all offenses considered in the study. The relationships between the seriousness of each infraction and the effectiveness of the disciplinary action utilized, indicated that there was consistency between the seriousness of the offense and the effectiveness of the disciplinary action utilized for all offenses considered in the study. The relationships between the fairness and the effectiveness of the disciplinary action utilized, indicated that there was consistency between the fairness and effectiveness of the disciplinary action utilized for all offenses considered in the study. The study implies that middle school educators should strive to maintain a moderate disciplinary climate in their respective school centers. In addition, the allocation of disciplinary measures should be commensurate with the severity of the offense committed and within the recipient's ability to comply.

Extent

161 p.

Comments

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1975.|College of Education|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (Ed.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1975.

Identifier

FADT11654

Format

pdf

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