Research Corner – Master Thesis Supports Use of the DECA to Inform Implementation of the Conscious Discipline Program

Research Corner – Master Thesis Supports Use of the DECA to Inform Implementation of the Conscious Discipline Program

By: Gabriel Smith, LSW Research Associate, Devereux Center for Resilient Children

Conscious Discipline is an evidence-based program which integrates social-emotional learning, discipline and self-regulation. The Devereux Center for Resilient Children has recently partnered with Conscious Discipline to provide Conscious Discipline strategies.  The new resource, Conscious Discipline & eDECA Assessment and Planning System, will be available May 15, 2015.  A Master’s Thesis in Education, recently conducted by Ashly Chavez (2014) at St. Catherine University in Minnesota, investigated the effects of implementing the Conscious Discipline program on social-emotional learning in an early childhood classroom at a Montessori school.  Chavez used the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment Preschool Second Edition DECA-P2 along with two behavioral observation tools and a School Climate Pre Survey as measurement tools.

In particular, the DECA-P2 Classroom Profile was used to bolster teaching practices. The Classroom Profile provides a display of the social-emotional Strengths, and Areas of Need in a classroom.  This allowed for targeted Conscious Discipline strategies to be implemented to strengthen areas where there is need and support the specific students who are struggling in these areas.  The DECA-P2 data were revisited continuously throughout Chavez’s 6-week study to support strategy selection. Chavez’s thesis concluded that, with the support of the DECA-P2, Conscious Discipline can lead to increased social-emotional learning, increased joy in teaching, a positive classroom climate, decreased aggressive acts, and increased student respect and responsibility in a social community.

Read a press release on the exciting new partnership between Conscious Discipline and the Devereux Center for Resilient Children here!

Citation: Chavez, A. (2014). The effects of the implementation of the Conscious Discipline Program on social emotional learning in an early childhood classroom. Masters of Arts in Education Action Research Papers. Paper 91.