"These Kids Are Out of Control": Why We Must Reimagine "Classroom Management" for Equity

by H. Richard Milner IV, Heather B. Cunningham, Lori Delale-O'Connor

"Nearly five years ago, the Department of Justice issued a Dear Colleague letter to school leaders across the nation that underscored the need to reform exclusionary school disciplinary programs and practices that discriminate on the basis of race. While carrot and stick reforms may help drive systemic change, zero tolerance policies continue to lead to disproportional disciplinary referrals, loss of instructional time, and increased dropout rates among students of color. In this groundbreaking book, acclaimed author Rich Milner proposes a solution that begins at the classroom level. In particular, he argues that that teachers need to develop the knowledge, dispositions, and mindsets to learn and adjust their practices based on the particular needs of their students, especially those who are on the margins of teaching and learning. Classroom management is typically one of the major sources of anxiety for inexperienced teachers. Although most teacher candidates study classroom management in their pre-service coursework, few of these courses focus on underserved student populations such as students of color and English Learners. And, in reality, even many experienced teachers rely on approaches to classroom management that are mismatched with the population of students they teach. This book is a practical approach to reimagining classroom management that effectively serves the needs of diverse learners including children of color, English Learners, and children from low-income households"--

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching, Professional Development, College, Read For School, Academic

200 pages, Paperback

Published August 27, 2018

Reviews

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so so helpful for me as a Middle School Teacher!!!

[Freddie Wilhelm]

I liked many things about this book; overall, it was well written and organized. I particularly enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, offering a Premise on the subject the chapter will discuss. This gave me a look into what other famous authors, like Maya Angelou and Paulo Friere, say about the topic and offered a brief overview of the topics discussed in each chapter. Another thing I enjoyed about “These Kids Are Out of Control” is the vignettes presented in each chapter. This book is interwoven with many vignettes, giving us a real look into the life of students and educators. These vignettes often show how these practices have/can be introduced and successful in the classroom. They can also show how harmful policies can impact students and how other teachers have overcome these problems. This is an effective tool used in the book and shows how we can make a difference as educators in the classroom.

Another thing I enjoyed about the book is how the book characterized the many students mentioned throughout. This book looks to characterize the students of the classroom not just as young minds but as people who deserve a comfortable environment to learn in. Overall “These Kids Are Out Of Control” is a thoughtfully written and informative take on classroom management. Milner challenges educators to be reactive to change and rethink classroom management approaches. This book acts as a road map for the directions to create a more equitable and supportive learning community. These strategies and insights from the book will surely be introduced into my future classroom. And I would highly recommend any educator or future educator who is looking into the subject of classroom management.

Despite these positive aspects of the book, I found several things to be negative. This book does a great job of explaining the problems that make up the various facets of classroom management and does a good job of keeping on that topic. I just feel as if there wasn’t enough practical instruction on how to implement these reimagined classrooms. I think this book is a great resource when brainstorming classroom management strategies, but despite its vignettes and research, I feel like I am still asking questions about how to tackle the book's problems. Which I also found to be a negative aspect of the book. I often felt like when reading this book that Milner would point out issues that are all well known and proven but would often drone on with how these problems impact students throughout the book. I feel the book could move its scope away from this aspect and focus more on successful management techniques, which it did provide, just not on the scale I thought it would go into this book.

Dr. H. Richard Milner IV is a professor of education and chair of education at Vanderbilt University. Milner is also a member of the American Education Research Association. He is interested in policy, classroom environment, and practices impacting student outcomes and teacher success. He also focuses his research on equity and diversity in the classroom. He spends hundreds of hours observing and interviewing teachers in urban schools, looking at how school and classroom policy impacts students' learning opportunities. He specifically looks at opportunity gaps, rather than achievement gaps, to describe how black students continue to experience systematic inequality. He also authorizes several other books, including his most recent book with K. Lomottey, “Handbook of Urban Education.” What drew me to this book in particular, was my concerns about classroom management. I thought that by reading this book, I could read real examples of classroom management techniques that promote equitable educational experiences for students. This book is a culmination of research, theory, and practices that make up classroom management, and it is clear that Milner, with his experience, is more than capable of writing a book on this topic. Going into the book, I thought I might get some cool ideas for managing classrooms. I was pleased to see several starting points to create a quality educational experience for students despite their backgrounds.

"These Kids Are Out of Control" by Dr. H. Richard Milner IV is a book that challenges traditional approaches to classroom management and argues for a more equitable and culturally responsive approach to teaching. The book combines research, anecdotes, and teaching methods to effectively reimagine classroom management and address student needs. Milner argues that traditional approaches to this subject are old, outdated, unfair, and often racially charged. Milner asks that we ought to aid marginalized students in the classroom, in discipline, and our communication. Milner stresses the importance of being proactive and relational when communicating with students so that educators can build positive relationships with their students. By building these positive relationships and valuing students' culture and background that teachers can create a safe and supportive learning environment to help students thrive academically and socially.

Milner's book is a compilation of research, theory, and practice that challenges traditional classroom management. The book is divided into four sections, after a brief section giving a premise of the book's scope. This first section goes through the theory, research, and current practices of classroom management. The book then explores different aspects of classroom management, looking at how the cradle-to-prison pipeline, instruction, environment, and discipline impact the broader classroom management topic. I enjoyed reading this book as it gave me a good base understanding of how classroom management can impact student outcomes, particularly looking into how these opportunity gaps form from malpractices of classroom management. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an understanding of the scope of classroom management and its impacts outside the classroom. I am happy I got the opportunity to read this book, and I hope that all future educators reflect on how classroom management can impact student outcomes.

[Joel Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Has a lot of good things to say, most of which I agree with. However, it is woefully incomplete and misleading, to the point of being counterproductive when discussing some very serious and nuanced issues in the education system. Part of this, I suppose, stems from it advocating for a type of teaching philosophy that is way more overtly ideological than I think is appropriate or useful. And to be clear, the ideology put forth is one I almost wholeheartedly agree with. I also do not feel that it answered many of the genuinely hard questions about classroom management, beyond a platitudinous level.

But it really is not all negative. The suggestions of practices and values a teacher can cultivate to create a successful and meaningful classroom that is managed well is thoughtful and very helpful.

[Lexi Fields · Rating 5 out of 5]

(This review is an assigned task as part of my cultivating classroom communities course.)

Strengths and Weaknesses:
As a pre-service educator who has spent a lot of time researching equitable teaching practices, anti-racist education, and creating classroom community, I genuinely loved this book. The authors took time to explain issues ranging from the school-to-prison pipeline to trauma-informed teaching, bias, growth mindset, urban living, and so much more. This book asks teachers to view education and classroom management from a completely new perspective and heavily encourages self-reflection and evaluation. The authors provide a multitude of prompts, guidelines, and questions that made me think about the type of educator I want to be and inspired ideas regarding the effectiveness of my classroom management plan. It certainly opened my eyes to very real, persistent issues that students face every day. The only downside to this book would be the lack of real-life implementation or examples. Yes, these authors have classroom experience and are no doubt very informed on the topic. However, they only really provide made-up scenarios or vignettes after each recommendation or chapter. I would really love to see the true, unvarnished effects of changing classroom management perspectives along the ideals of this book. Even if it didn’t work for some, I could see how the authors could use that to their advantage and explain how to grow beyond the first “failures” of implementation. Because I am still a student teacher, I really can’t apply it to my classroom practices yet, so I need concrete, real-life examples to feel secure in its implementation.

Context:
I was mainly drawn to this book because of its title. I mean, “These Kids are Out of Control” is hopefully something that would catch the eye of every educator. What I was pulled in by most, though, was the equity piece. I never EVER want to hear myself say that title in real life. I knew that this book could provide me with tools to make my classroom management match my philosophy of education. I have not read any other works from these authors, so going in I really had no idea what to expect. In contrast to some of the other reviews, I believe this book is extremely helpful in explaining behaviors and how educators must shift their thinking about classroom management and discipline. Almost to their point, if you think they are just “making excuses” for “bad” behavior, you need to change your mindset. Your students are living, complex, astonishing human beings, and not one of them genuinely wants to have a bad day or ruin the classroom control you have created. They are simply kids, and I think sometimes we forget that.

Summary & Personal Response:
There are five chapters within this book. They cover the basic principles of classroom management, the cradle-to-prison pipeline, effective instruction, creating caring environments, restorative discipline, and recommendations to all educators. The first two chapters gave me a great foundation and appreciation for the topic before diving into real, complex issues within equitable education. I was challenged throughout the entire book to think about my biases, perspectives, and understanding of students and the intricacies of their lives inside and outside of the classroom. I absolutely LOVED engaging in critical literacy without actively pursuing it. The authors do a phenomenal job of prompting readers to think outside of the box, look at the implications of the topics they discuss, and more. Most importantly, this book left me feeling inspired and capable. With their explanations and implementation recommendations, I feel confident that I can create a productive, welcoming classroom that serves all students, equitably.

Major Literary Elements
1. Critical Essay: This book is certainly critical but in the best way. It undermines and uproots a variety of mainstream discourse regarding classroom management and further, provides solutions and guidelines for more effective, equitable practices for all educators. Of course, to improve on something, there must be a foundation that needs improving. This book simply encourages continuing development and evolution.

2. Claim: Right on the first page, within the introduction, the authors explain, “With the best of intentions, teachers often believe they should be able to ‘control’ students in the classroom and broader school community. But a central goal of this book project is to disrupt such thinking because students are developing human beings, and our goal should not be to attempt to control them or their behaviors.” This is the claim that serves as the foundation for the entire book.

3. Dilemma: Following the explanation for claim, there are two very distinct ways of classroom management. The first is control and the second is equity. Teachers must actively choose each and every day to choose management practices that are equitable for all students and their well-being. They must choose to think of them as human beings rather than animals to be controlled. This book highlights the struggle or dilemma.

[Jillianne Larson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for teachers of all ages! I learned so much and made so many notes. It offers wonderful examples on how to utilize all of their advice in the classroom which was especially helpful. Really loved the scaffolding structure the book has as well; made it easy to make notes and come up with my own ideas for classroom lessons

[Jon Dittert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another education book which gives the vague advice of "work harder" and "be better."

[Jiehong Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors of the book "These Kids Are Out of Control" criticize the idea that teachers need to control the classroom and students. They provide evidence to support this claim, such as research results and published books. In particular, on page 18, they use a paragraph from Noguera's book to show that students who are targeted in school are more likely to be targeted for incarceration in society. This idea shows that punitive discipline is not effective, and it is important to create a friendly and inclusive classroom environment.
The writing style of the book is persuasive and informative. The author aims to convince the reader that traditional methods of classroom management can be harmful, especially for students of color. Instead, they suggest that teachers should focus on building relationships with their students and addressing the root causes of misbehavior. The author also provides examples and research to support their argument. Overall, the writing style is clear, and organized, and uses evidence to persuade the reader to adopt a new approach to classroom management that prioritizes equity and student well-being.
Personally, this reading is amazing, the authors use real-life examples to show how efficient the restorative methods can be. My favorite example is the vignette C: restorative conferencing after a Fight on page 158. If the teacher didn’t use restorative conference, they would never know that one student work so hard to earn her lunch money, and another student doesn’t receive lunch money from her mom for weeks. A lot of examples use dialogue to help feel the tension of the scenario.
3. Context
The authors wrote the book "These Kids Are Out of Control" because they want to help teachers learn how to manage their classrooms in a way that is fair and effective for all students. This is their first book on the topic, but they have written many articles and research papers about education. People who have read the book say that it is helpful and informative. One reviewer said, "This book is a must-read for any teacher who wants to create a classroom environment that is both safe and inclusive." Another reviewer praised the authors for providing practical strategies that teachers can use to build relationships with their students and create a positive learning environment. I haven't read any of the authors' previous books, so I can't speak to their writing style, but I appreciate the clear and organized way they present their ideas in this book.
4. Summary
The book "These Kids Are Out of Control" is an important read for educators because it challenges traditional methods of classroom management and provides a new approach that prioritizes equity and student well-being. The authors argue that punishment and control do not work and can harm students, particularly those who are not white. Instead, teachers should focus on building positive relationships with their students and creating a welcoming environment. By providing research and examples, the book demonstrates how this approach can be more effective in promoting good behavior and helping students succeed. Therefore, parents and teachers should read this book to learn about effective classroom management strategies that prioritize the well-being of all students. I am convinced by this book, especially since I have been harshly punished before for minor mistakes. By implementing the strategies discussed in the book and having open communication with our students, we can create a more inclusive and positive learning environment.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes a long hard look at how classrooms are being managed with little to no regard for equity. Children come to school in order to learn, and yet they are faced with inequitable practices that limit their success. This book is a great read for educators because it has tangible examples of how to reframe your understanding of what good classroom management should look like. For example, in a chapter about what effective instruction looks like the authors write,

"effective instruction calls for teachers to positively frame all aspects of a students learning experience- that they build on the assets and strengths of their students, families, and communities- and reject deficit mindsets" (Milner 2010).

This quote, and many others, show educators the kind of classroom management that should be their priority. I will absolutely be recommending this book to all my educator friends!

[Kate Schwarz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m glad to be in teaching program that requires this book with transformational ideas on classroom management that advocates reflection and anti-bias training to create a more equitable classroom and school. Because the bigger ideas in the book require school-wide participation and thus leadership from the top, I hope administrators are reading this, too.

[Liliya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may not refer back to this book, but I took extensive notes and learned a lot from it. It is a mostly ideology book than how to, although it has a lot of tips and I loved the real life examples. This would be great for reading alongside other classroom management books for new teachers or for experienced teachers who want to learn about equity in the US classroom.

[Molly Kelchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book needs to be utilized for school- and district-wide professional development. I’m so sick of subbing in such punitive and racist classrooms, and this was a very validating and encouraging read. Good work, authors.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-researched, straightforward, and practical. Wish I'd read this book in teacher training, but it's still helpful after 4 years of teaching in Title 1 public schools

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good research. I also like how it is organized. Now how to get admins to devote time/PD to teachers for critical reflection.

[Lindsay Tucker Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read for graduate level course in classroom management: excellent resource for considering equity and classroom community in terms of management.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with strategies for how to manage your classroom.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Relatable to those in urban education.

[Katie Braymiller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good review of proactive behavior management strategies

[Kate ☆♪ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read some of the chapters from this book for my creating a positive classroom class.

[Kayla Mickelson]

Did read this but never marked it. Gotta do what you gotta do to reach ur goal 😭

[Joey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh