Why It’s Time to Move Beyond Clip Charts – and how to do it.
If you’ve been teaching for a while, chances are you’ve used a behavior clip chart—or at least seen one. They’re bright, easy to use, and give the illusion of control. For years, clip charts were considered best practice, or at least a standard classroom tool.
At first, they seem to work. Students were motivated to stay on green. Parents were clued in on behavior. You feel like you’re doing what you’re “supposed” to do.
And then you start noticing patterns.
Some kids always moved down, no matter how hard they tried. Others became anxious about their color, constantly seeking validation. And a few learned how to perform compliance—rather than truly learning how to manage themselves.
That’s why we dig deeper. And the more we learn, the more we realize: we can do better.
That’s why I created my self-paced course, Beyond Clip Charts—to give teachers a supportive, research-based path away from public behavior tracking and toward strategies that actually support student growth and connection.
Why Clip Charts Fall Short
Let’s start with the basics. Behavior clip charts rely on external motivation and public accountability. They often send a message: “Be good, or everyone will see you fall.” That kind of system might seem effective in the short term, but it rarely helps students build the long-term skills they need to thrive.
In fact, research shows that public behavior management systems like clip charts can actually be harmful. A 2016 study in Educational Leadership shares that these systems can lead to student shame, exclusion, and decreased motivation—especially for students with learning or behavioral differences (Weinstein, 2016).
Clip charts also disproportionately affect students with ADHD, trauma histories, or sensory processing challenges—kids who may not have the same regulation tools as their peers but are punished publicly for it. And even for students who “stay on green,” the focus becomes about avoiding punishment, not building self-awareness or resilience.
Put simply: behavior clip charts don’t teach. They track.
What to Do Instead
The good news? We have options—and they work.
Beyond Clip Charts is a self-paced course designed to help teachers replace clip charts with research-backed, heart-centered strategies. Whether you’re just starting to question your current system or you’re ready for a complete overhaul, this course will meet you where you are.
Inside Beyond Clip Charts, you’ll find four rich, practical modules:
✅ Module 1: Behavior Chart Basics & Beyond
- Why clip charts aren’t developmentally aligned
- What the research actually says
- The long-term impact on behavior, relationships, and classroom climate
“When students feel shamed or controlled, they’re less likely to develop intrinsic motivation.” — Deci & Ryan, Self-Determination Theory (2000)
✅ Module 2: Relationships & Environment
- Why connection drives behavior
- How to co-create classroom expectations
- Shaping an environment where students feel seen, safe, and supported
Research consistently shows that teacher-student relationships are a strong predictor of behavior and academic outcomes (Hamre & Pianta, 2001).
✅ Module 3: Teaching What We Expect
- Explicit SEL skill instruction
- Modeling, practicing, and reinforcing behaviors the same way we do academics
- Tools and resources to embed SEL into your day without overwhelming your schedule
✅ Module 4: Restorative Practices & Sustainable Plans
- Real-world strategies for addressing conflict
- How to repair relationships after harm
- Creating sustainable systems for reflection, growth, and accountability
Restorative practices have been shown to reduce exclusionary discipline and improve school climate (González, 2015).
Each module includes:
- Mini lessons you can take at your own pace
- Downloadable tools and templates
- Book and video recommendations
- Actionable steps rooted in real research
Why This Course is Different
This isn’t just theory—it’s grounded in over a decade of classroom experience and built on action research from schools that have made the shift successfully. It’s flexible, practical, and intentionally designed for teachers who are doing the hard work in real classrooms with real kids.
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking:
- There has to be a better way.
- I’m tired of tracking behavior that doesn’t change anything.
- I want to build a classroom culture rooted in respect, not fear.
Then Beyond Clip Charts is here to help.
A Gentle Invitation
Change doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. You don’t have to throw out your entire system tomorrow. But if you’re ready to take that first (or next) step, this course will guide you through it—with honesty, encouragement, and actionable support.
The truth is, we all want classrooms where students feel safe, understood, and empowered to make better choices. We all want strategies that are sustainable—not just another thing to keep up with.
Beyond Clip Charts helps you build just that.
Ready when you are.