The Impact of the Social Classroom Contract on Students with Learning Disabilities

Download Article

DOI: 10.21522/TIJAR.2014.10.04.Art014

Authors : Ladimae Mauline Daoayan-Biaddang, Gilbert Allan Dispo

Abstract:

This study explores how social classroom contracts impact students with learning disabilities. The way that students behave and interact has a direct bearing on how they are taught and learned. The research uses a quantitative method to identify the elements influencing the formation of classroom social contracts, explore how they relate to the student code of conduct, and emphasize the beneficial effects of classroom social contracts for students with learning disabilities. The research shows that giving students a choice and a voice in establishing a social contract in the classroom empowers them to take charge of their education and recognize their potential to make a difference. The student code of conduct, a set of rules and expectations for behaviour in the school setting, is also strongly tied to the classroom social contract. Additionally, classroom social contracts give students a stronger feeling of independence and accountability, promoting a socially conscious and active learning environment. This study emphasizes the transformative potential of social classroom contracts for students with learning disabilities with the possibility of increasing their attendance, engagement, and achievement.

Keywords: Achievement, Attendance, Code of Conduct, Student Engagement, Voice, and Choice.

References:

[1] NCES. (2021, May). COE - Public High School Graduation Rates. National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/coi/high-school-graduation-rates#suggested-citation.

[2] OECD (2019), PISA 2018 Results (Volume I): What Students Know and Can Do, PISA, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/5f07c754-en.

[3] MSDE. (2021, October 26). Spotlight on Students with Disabilities Maryland State Board of Education. Maryland State Department of Education. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://marylandpublicschools.org/stateboard/Documents/2021/1026/SpotlightOnStudentsWithDisabilitiesPresentation.pdf.

[4] Kipp, K. (2020, June 15). How Can Educators Tap into Research to Increase Engagement During Remote Learning? EdSurge. https://www.edsurge.com/news/2020-05-06-how-can-educators-tap-into-research-to-increase-engagement-duringremote-learning.

[5] Wang, M. T., & Degol, J. (2014, June 17). Staying Engaged: Knowledge and Research Needs in Student Engagement. Child Development Perspectives, 8(3), 137–143. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12073.

[6] Astin, A. W. (2005, May). Making Sense Out of Degree Completion Rates. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 7(1), 5–17. https://doi.org/10.2190/7pv9-khr7-c2f6-upk5.

[7] Cook-Sather, A. (2006, December). Sound, Presence, and Power: “Student Voice” in Educational Research and Reform. Curriculum Inquiry, 36(4), 359–390. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-873x.2006.00363.x.

[8] Mitra, D. L., & Gross, S. J. (2009, June 19). Increasing Student Voice in High School Reform. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 37(4), 522–543. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143209334577.

[9] “Student engagement with school: individual and school-level influence” by Sue Fullarton. (n.d.). https://research.acer.edu.au/lsay_research/31.

[10] Curwin, R. L., Mendler, A. N., & Mendler, B. D. (2008, January 1). Discipline with Dignity. ASCD.

[11] Welcome — Capturing Kids’ Hearts. (n.d.). Capturing Kids’ Hearts. https://flippengroup.com/capturing-kids-hearts/.

[12] [Brown, B. (2018, October 11). Dare to Lead. Random House.

[13] Hammond, Z. (2014, November 13). Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain. Corwin Press.

[14] Edutopia. (2019, October 3). Social Contracts Foster Community in the Classroom [Video]. Youtube. Retrieved August 30, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjzweCyJIok.

[15] Smith, A. (2022, June 28). How to Create a Student-Led Classroom Social Contract. Teach Starter. Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://www.teachstarter.com/us/blog/student-led-classroom-contract-upper-years-us/.

[16] Chapter 13: Implementing the Social Contract. (n.d.). https://web.calstatela.edu/faculty/jshindl/cm/Chapter13.htm.

[17] Krupansky, J. (2018, September 2). Elements of a Social Contract - Jack Krupansky - Medium. Medium. https://jackkrupansky.medium.com/elements-of-a-social-contract-69572b4bba11.

[18] Smith. (2017, May). Social Contracts. In http://ceed.umn.edu (Grant #H029K20171). Institute on Community Integration, College of Education, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Retrieved August 30, 2023, from http://ceed.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Social-Contracts.pdf.

[19] Mintrop. (2020). Designbased school improvement A practical guide for education leaders. Harvard Education Press.

[20] Edward, & George. (1993). Reconceptualizing behavior management and schoolwide discipline in general education.

[21] Stewart. (2015). Building a Social Contract [Video]. Fountain Middle School Teacher’s
Programs and Strategies Website. Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://fmsteachersprogramsandstrategieswebsite.wordpress.com/capturing-kids-hearts-social-contract/.

[22] Gordon, W. (2020, August 25). How to Use a Classroom Contract in Your Class. TeachHUB. Retrieved December 16, 2022, from https://www.teachhub.com/classroom-management/2020/08/how-to-use-a-classroom-contract-in-your-class/.

[23] Ellis, E. (2014, September 15). Social Contract. The Encyclopedia of Political Thought, 3490–3493. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781118474396.wbept0949.