Modifying open-campus lunch policy to reduce discipline violations: An action research study

An intervention was implemented to address the high number of discipline violations due to an unconditional open-campus lunch policy at a senior high school. The intent of the intervention was to statistically measure discipline violations among voluntary participants and to determine whether or not a significant change occurred. The research design consisted of formulating an intervention that modeled a closed-campus lunch schedule that provided a study hall/tutoring session during a 47-day grading period. The Convenience Sampling Method was used during this study. The inclusion criteria required that all student participants have at least one serious or minor discipline referral, range between ages 12 and 18 years of age, and scheduled to eat during the first of two lunch periods. The voluntary student participants were required to attend a 16-minute study hall prior to a 30-minute lunch break and remain on campus during the entire intervention timeframe. The Paired Sample t test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference between the means of two matched non-independent sample pairs (pre and post intervention data) at two different times (Gay & Airasian, 2003). Observations of participant moods, attitudes, and engagement were analyzed to supplement the quantitative data in order to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Students who frequently participated by attending each week of the intervention benefited more than participants who attended less frequently. Generalization was not achieved due to a small sample size. However, changes did occur among several non-independent sample data pairs in favor of the intervention. Further research was recommended before local school leaders make a decision regarding implementing a conditional or unconditional open high school lunch policy.