Sule Alan (European University Institute)

Managing Behavior in the Classroom to Improve Learning: Lessons from a Classroom Management Program

Abstract. We evaluate a classroom management program designed to foster a positive learning environment in disadvantaged middle schools. The program encourages teachers to involve students in establishing positive behavioral standards and eliminating disruptive behavior in the classroom. Covering about 8000 students from 127 middle schools in Bangladesh, we find that the program significantly improves the social climate in the classroom, measured as enhanced cooperation, positive behavioral norms, and strengthened social support ties. We show that high-ability students are the primary beneficiaries of this improved social climate. This subgroup exhibits a significant improvement in academic performance, achieving  higher scores than their untreated counterparts in math and verbal tests. Our study highlights the essential role of effective behavior management in achieving high academic performance.