Oscar A. Barbarin, Ph.D., clinical psychologist, developmental scientist, and school mental health consultant. Dr. Barbarin’s life work has centered on children at risk for socio-emotional and academic problems. He has been a professor of Psychology, African American Studies, and Social Work. He served as the Director of its University of Michigan Center for Child and Family and later as the Executive Director of its South Africa Initiative Office.
Smart Discipline, written by Dr. Oscar Barbarin and colleagues, offers a comprehensive analysis of the discipline policies adopted by each state in the U.S., highlighting effective alternatives for managing behavior problems in schools. By exploring various approaches, Dr. Barbarin reveals that the most promising methods often blend closer student-staff relationships with dynamic, engaging instruction.