Classroom management is often referred to as the first aspect of teaching that an educator must grasp to deliver the best, most effective instruction. Every teacher is held to the same standard for teaching the curriculum and keeping students safe. However, teachers have different styles through which they use to obtain these standards.

There are four styles of classroom management: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and indulgent. They range from the teacher having very strong control and less student involvement to the teacher having less control and more student involvement.

1. Authoritarian

The authoritarian classroom management style is described as a teacher having total control over the classroom. Students are not given the flexibility to be actively involved and responsive. The teacher maintains the spotlight and control over all aspects of the class. 

2. Authoritative

The authoritative classroom management style is a balance of teacher control and student involvement. In this style of the classroom, students are encouraged to participate and collaborate but also follow the rules. Structure exists but does not overtake student autonomy. The teacher values student input and feedback on how they feel about their learning environment and ideas that can be incorporated to make it better.

An authoritative teacher cares about his/her students inside and outside of the classroom. Student outcomes in this classroom are positive. Students are not afraid to contribute and take risks. Therefore, students thrive and show growth in all areas.

3. Permissive

The permissive classroom management style has low levels of control and involvement. The teacher of this style does not engage their students nor have the desire to.

With low levels of control and low levels of involvement, students’ educational fate cannot be promising. Teachers are employed to bring out the best in their students. They are to help them grow academically and socially. This cannot happen with low involvement. Students that are subject to this classroom management style will not experience structure, personalized learning, collaboration with their peers in an academic manner, or positive reinforcement.

4. Indulgent

The indulgent classroom management style is described as a high level of involvement but a low level of control. The teacher gives students the freedom to express themselves, but due to the lack of control, the class is taken over by the students and lessons tend to get off task. The teacher using this style is usually liked by the students. They feel comfortable talking with the teacher and may consider him/her as a friend. The indulgent teacher does prepare lessons and attempts to present them, but the low level of control prohibits lesson delivery to be successful.

Student outcomes in this setting can be seen in two ways. It is healthy when students feel safe enough to talk to and confide in their teacher. When children like their teacher, they feel safe and trust is present.

How Do I Choose a Classroom Management Style?

Choosing the classroom management style that will work for you takes trial and error. As the leader in your classroom, you know what your students need. A teacher’s success is measured by the success of his/her students. For students to have success, the classroom environment must be organized and allow for interactions. Having a balance of control and involvement is vital. I personally have mixed-and-matched some of the techniques that I found appropriate for my class.