Principals' confidence in managing disruptive student behaviour. Exploring geographical context in NSW primary schools

Abstract

This article discusses the results from an initial quantitative analysis of survey data collected from the Principals and Behaviour Survey (PABS) conducted in New South Wales, Australia. PABS was built upon a foundation of existing validated studies measuring principals' attitudes to the inclusion of students with disabilities in mainstream schools. Principal component analysis as an exploratory procedure indicated that whilst many similarities exist, the geographical context of the school impacts on a principal's skills and confidence, how they use their skills, and their attitudes towards the resources and supports required to support students with disruptive behaviour. Implications for the wide-scale implementation of approaches to managing disruptive behaviour across contexts are discussed alongside continuing dichotomies between the pragmatics of school practice and benefits of inclusive practice.

Keywords:

• leadership
• confidence
• principal
• behaviour
• inclusion
• attitudes