TEACHERS’ POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT PRACTICES FOR NURTURING LEARNERS' DESIRABLE CONDUCT
Keywords:
Administration and Supervision, Behavior Management Practices, Descriptive-Correlational Design, Talamban, Cebu CityAbstract
This study determined the positive reinforcement practices of elementary teachers for nurturing learners’ desirable conduct at Talamban Elementary School, North District 8, Talamban, Cebu City, Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City Division, during School Year 2026–2027, as a basis for a behavior management plan. A descriptive-correlational research design was employed, using an adapted questionnaire as the primary data-gathering instrument. The study involved 49 respondents selected through purposive-random sampling. Simple percentage, weighted mean, and the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (Pearson r) were used as statistical tools. The findings revealed that the teacher-respondents were predominantly female, mostly in the middle-age groups, with graduate-level educational attainment and considerable teaching experience, and most had attended related training or seminars. Learners’ disruptive, non-compliant, inattentive, and poor self-discipline behaviors were observed Sometimes, with inattentive and disruptive behaviors being more evident, while aggressive behaviors were observed Rarely. Teachers consistently practiced behavior management strategies involving understanding learners’ needs, supportive communication, respect and trust-building, reflective teaching and reinforcement, and classroom management. A significant relationship was found between learners’ undesirable behaviors and teachers’ behavior management practices, resulting in the rejection of the null hypothesis. Teachers also sometimes encountered challenges in managing misbehavior, particularly classroom disruptions, inattentiveness, non-compliance, disrespectful behavior, recurring behavioral problems, limited parental support, inadequate training, large class sizes, and limited resources and support services. Based on the findings, the adoption and implementation of the proposed output of the study, the “Behavior Management Plan,” is recommended.
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