This is a difficult situation. I would assume that the student has been retained before. First, if the child has not been tested for a learning disability, that should be done. Many students with learning difficulties often act out because it is easier than admitting that they don't understand. It is also important for Mrs. Honeycutt to develop a relationship with the child. This may help her understand why he acts out, and it may allow him to feel more comfortable in his class. Odds are that he feels just as uncomfortable, if not more, in the class as she feels about having him there.

I would definitely talk with administration to look at available programs within the county. Many counties have options for students who are overage in the elementary and middle school classrooms. During the process of trying to figure what programs he could attend, I would give him particular jobs around the classroom and school that he likes to do. Even at that age, students want to feel important and make a contribution to the learning environment. Set up a meeting with parents and other teachers to come up with a common plan to assist this student.

I would start by having a student/parent/teacher/administrator conference that includes that particular student, his or her parent(s),the team of teachers that teach this student, and an administrator. As the teacher that set up the conference, I would explain to the student & parent(s) the purpose of the conference. I would explain to the student and parent(s) the behavior policy and let the parent(s) know what will happen as a result of this student not following the expectations of the school. I would give the parent(s) and student an opportunity to speak. I would also point out the student's strengths or possible strengths. After the meeting, I would track this student's behavior for about 2 weeks. I no progress has been made, then I will start this student on a behavior SST plan, and continue to track data from there.

Try the traditional tactics such rearranging seats and having one on one conversations with this students. If this does not work, be sure to make administration aware of this issue and all subsequent situations that arise from this student. Speak with the counselor about this situation and have a conversation about possible RTI for behavior. Have a face to face conference with the parent and an administrator and develop a plan that would be most helpful for this student to be successful.

There should already be a plan in place for this child who is 16 in the 7th grade. I would look in his PR folder and figure out what his defiency is in. In my ELA class, I have a number of students who are struggling readers. As middle school students, they don't want anybody to know that they struggle, so they act out to take the attention away from the fact. I would try a behvaior contract between him and his parents. Every day he has to get all of his teachers to sign it and the parent has to sign off on it, so they see how his behavior was for that day. It keeps all parties accountable, while the academic problem is being handled.

My first resort would be to determine the student's ability level. What I have found it that many students act out in this manner because the work is not rigorous enough or the work is too rigorous. After that it determined, I would begin to have conversations with the student to determine why he chooses to disrupt class. He obviously has some influence with the students in the room. So, I would discuss using that influence in a positive manner. After I've done these two things, I would heavily differentiate instruction for the student to meet his needs. This might encourage him to complete the assignments. I would also make him a leader for certain activities in the class to hold him accountable. During this time, I would still keep track of data to determine if the interventions used were effective or if something other methods should be suggested.

His work and comprehension level need to be looked at because he may be acting out because he doesn't understand. But also he need to be reevaluated to see if he can move up a grade