The key to dealing with disruptive behavior is for the school to have a clear and consistent process that is known and understood by everyone who is involved; the students, the staff, the parents and the neighbourhood community. It is essential that this process is not designed only for the small percentage of students who constantly push the limits at school and challenge the adults' authority. The process must build on school wide expectations for all students who attend the school. The vast majority of students want to do well at school, follow the rules and be successful in their activities. It is these students who we need to look to for acceptable behavior and role models. Parents, particularly those of disruptive students, need to see clarity, fairness and equity in the way that the school deals with unacceptable behavior.

Spencer and Gary have developed a process that acts as a filter when dealing with disruptive behaviors. It includes effective communication skills that are used by school staff, structured methods to  contact the home and ways to have the teachers and the parents work together to change negative actions into successful behavior. It is working through a comprehensive process that specific plans can be designed for individual students. These plans will be effective because they are supported by the actions of the whole school community.