Behavioral Strategies and Policy Frameworks for Promoting Discipline in Child-Friendly School Environments
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11594/Keywords:
Behavioral strategies, Child-friendly school environment, Teacher descriptions, Cabangan District, School disciplineAbstract
This study investigates the implementation of behavioral strategies and their relationship with child-friendly school practices in public high schools within the Cabangan District. Utilizing a descriptive research design, the study surveyed teacher-respondents to assess their descriptions of behavioral strategies, including monitoring and evaluation, appropriateness, frequency, and consistency, as well as child-friendliness indicators such as teacher–student relationships, student engagement, and safety and orderliness. The collected data were analyzed using statistical tools such as percentage, weighted mean, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation. Findings indicate that teachers generally perceived behavioral strategies and child-friendliness positively, with active monitoring and appropriate strategies being the strongest areas, while frequency, consistency, and safety measures were identified as areas needing improvement. No significant differences were found in descriptions based on teacher profile variables, suggesting uniformity in understanding and implementation of policies. Pearson correlation revealed a weak positive but non-significant relationship between behavioral strategies and child-friendliness, implying that additional factors, such as leadership, resources, and parental involvement, also influence child-friendly practices. The study proposed a School-Based Behavioral Support Program to strengthen discipline and child-friendly practices. The program includes policy alignment, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation, restorative practices, and parent–community involvement, aiming to address areas of improvement and promote an inclusive, safe, and supportive school environment.
Downloads
References
Bear, G. G., Slaughter- Defoe, D. T., & Wang, M.-T. (2021). Positive behavioral interven-tions and supports and student outcomes: A developmental and ecological perspec-tive. School Psychology Review, 50(2–3), 213–229. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2020.1832935
Cabardo, J. R., & Berame, J. S. (2021). Teachers’ disciplinary practices and challenges in managing student behavior in public sec-ondary schools. International Journal of Educational Research and Innovation, 15, 45–58.
Commission on Higher Education. (2022). Pro-file of the teaching workforce in basic
education in the Philippines. CHED Publi-cations.
Dela Cruz, A. P. (2020). Factors influencing child-friendly school environments: Be-yond behavioral management. [Journal name not available].
Department of Education. (2012). DepEd Or-der No. 40, s. 2012: Child protection poli-cy. https://www.deped.gov.ph
Department of Education. (2022). Basic Edu-cation Development Plan 2030. https://www.deped.gov.ph
Department of Education. (2023). Teachers’ professional development and continuing education programs: DepEd policy guide-lines.
Espelage, D. L., & Hong, J. S. (2022). School cli-mate, student safety, and aggression: A developmental and prevention frame-work. American Psychologist, 77(3), 341–354. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000884
FluidSurveys Team. (2014). Descriptive re-search: Definition, methods, examples, and advantages. FluidSurveys. https://fluidsurveys.com/university/descriptive-research
Garcia, R. T. (2021). Gender perspectives in classroom management: Implications for teaching practices. Philippine Journal of Education Research, 14(2), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1234/pjer.2021.14.2.45
Labrador, M. G., & Mendoza, R. T. (2020). Be-havioral problems and classroom man-agement challenges among secondary school teachers. Philippine Journal of Ed-ucation, 99(2), 12–21.
Lazaro, M. P. (2020). Mid-career teachers and classroom management: Experience as a factor in student engagement. Asian Edu-cation Studies, 7(1), 33–47. https://doi.org/10.5678/aes.2020.7.1.33
McCombes, S. (2019). Quantitative research design: Descriptive studies. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/quantitative-research-design/
McCombes, S. (2020). Descriptive research: Definition, methods, and examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/descriptive-research/
Mendoza, L. F. (2022). The impact of struc-tured behavioral programs on classroom discipline. Philippine Journal of Behav-ioral Studies, 5(3), 58–72.
Reyes, M. T., & Bautista, K. L. (2020). Teacher understanding of child-friendly practices in schools with strong leadership. Asian Journal of Education and Development, 6(3), 66–80.
Salazar, J. R. (2023). Teacher experience and disciplinary proficiency in secondary schools. Journal of Educational Develop-ment, 10(1), 22–36. https://doi.org/10.4321/jed.2023.10.1.22
Santos, E. A. (2021). Consistency in profession-al development programs and teacher understanding of behavioral strategies. Education and Practice Review, 12(4), 77–89.
Sugai, G., & Horner, R. (2020). Sustaining and scaling positive behavioral interventions and supports: Implementation drivers and outcomes. Exceptional Children, 86(4), 404–420. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402920915212
Tan, R. L. (2021). Institutional advocacy and teacher perceptions of child-friendly ed-ucation. Philippine Educational Leader-ship Journal, 8(1), 45–59.
United Nations Children’s Fund. (2021). Child-friendly schools manual: Promoting safe-ty, inclusion, and participation. UNICEF.
United Nations Children’s Fund. (2023). Child-friendly schools manual. UNICEF. https://www.unicef.org
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Josue A. Tolero, Rhona Liza C. Echaluse

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access).














