THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BEHAVIORAL CONTRACT GROUP COUNSELING IN IMPROVING THE DISCIPLINE OF 11TH-GRADE STUDENTS AT PILANGKENCENG STATE HIGH SCHOOL, MADIUN REGENCY

JKPI: Jurnal Konseling Pendidikan Islam P–ISSN: 2655-9692 E-ISSN: 2746-5977 Vol.7, No. 2, Mei 2026 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF BEHAVIORAL CONTRACT GROUP COUNSELING IN IMPROVING THE DISCIPLINE OF 11THGRADE STUDENTS AT PILANGKENCENG STATE HIGH SCHOOL, MADIUN REGENCY *1 Nur Sawaludin, 2Asroful kadafi, 3Ratih Christiana *1,2,3 Universitas PGRI Madiun *1 2 Email: , , 3 Abstract This study aims to determine the effectiveness of group counseling using the behavioral contract technique in improving the discipline of eleventh-grade students at Pilangkenceng State Senior High School, Madiun Regency. The problem of low student discipline often becomes an obstacle in the learning process, so a systematic and structured approach is needed to improve student discipline. In this study, the method used was an experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design involving two groups: an experimental group that was given a group counseling intervention with the behavioral contract technique and a control group that did not receive the intervention. Data collection techniques were carried out through observation, interviews, and student discipline questionnaires that measured aspects of discipline such as tardiness, attendance, and compliance with school rules. The results showed that there was a significant increase in discipline in the experimental group after being given the intervention compared to the control group. This finding proves that the application of the behavioral contract technique in group counseling can be an effective alternative in improving student discipline. Therefore, it is recommended that schools consider implementing this technique as part of their character building and student discipline program Keywords: group counseling, behavioral contract, discipline, students, high school Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektivitas konseling kelompok dengan menggunakan teknik behavioral contract dalam meningkatkan kedisiplinan siswa kelas XI di SMA Negeri Pilangkenceng, Kabupaten Madiun. Masalah kedisiplinan siswa yang rendah sering menjadi hambatan dalam proses pembelajaran, sehingga dibutuhkan pendekatan yang sistematis dan terstruktur untuk meningkatkan disiplin siswa. Dalam penelitian ini, metode yang digunakan adalah penelitian eksperimen dengan desain pretest dan post-test yang melibatkan dua kelompok: kelompok eksperimen yang diberikan intervensi konseling kelompok dengan teknik behavioral contract dan kelompok kontrol yang tidak mendapatkan intervensi. Teknik pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan angket kedisiplinan siswa yang mengukur aspek kedisiplinan seperti keterlambatan, kehadiran, dan kepatuhan terhadap aturan sekolah. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat peningkatan kedisiplinan yang signifikan pada kelompok eksperimen setelah diberikan intervensi dibandingkan dengan kelompok kontrol. Temuan ini membuktikan bahwa penerapan teknik behavioral contract dalam 572 Lisensi Creative Commons Atribusi 4.0 Internasional konseling kelompok dapat menjadi alternatif yang efektif dalam meningkatkan kedisiplinan siswa. Oleh karena itu, disarankan agar sekolah mempertimbangkan penerapan teknik ini sebagai bagian dari program pembinaan karakter dan kedisiplinan siswa. Kata kunci: konseling kelompok, behavioral contract, kedisiplinan, siswa, SMA INTRODUCTION Discipline is one of the most important factors in creating an effective and conducive learning environment at school. Imron et al. (2025) view discipline as part of student management, namely students’ orderliness and adherence to school rules, which are systematically enforced to achieve learning objectives and foster character development. Discipline is the awareness of carrying out an obligation in accordance with existing regulations and with full responsibility, free from coercion. Discipline is the acceptance of a system that calls upon a person to submit to evaluations and rules. Discipline is a mindset of complying with established guidelines without bias. Discipline encompasses the meaning of obeying and following rules, but it also refers to following leaders’ instructions, maintaining strong time management, and taking ownership of assigned responsibilities. Islam Eva Yanah, Naila Attamimi in JM2PI: Jurnal Mediakarya Mahasiswa Pendidikan Islam Vol. 04, No. 02, November 2023, emphasize the importance of paying attention to and practicing the values of discipline in order to improve the standard of living of the community (Syaiful Muhammad, 2021). According to Suharsimi Arikunto (1980: 114), discipline is an individual’s compliance with rules or regulations driven by an inner sense of awareness, without external coercion. According to Thomas Gordon (1996: 3), discipline is behavior and conduct that conforms to rules and regulations, or behavior acquired through continuous training (Astuti et al., 2015). Although schools have rules to instill discipline, some children still disregard them. The rule most frequently violated by students is truancy (Jannah & Muis, 2014). According to Munte (Qomaria et al., 2022), truancy is a habit involving the neglect of tasks and obligations that must be completed within a specific timeframe. At the high school level, truancy is common among many students. Truancy is used as a remedy for the boredom students often face in class activities, so this is actually not a new phenomenon (Purwanto, 2020). Putri et al., (2023) found that school truancy has become a concerning issue in the United States, as several studies indicate that truancy is a strong predictor of delinquent behavior among adolescents (75% to 85% of juvenile offenders are adolescents who enjoy skipping school or frequently do so). According to Monica et al. (2022), truancy increases the risk of students engaging in alcohol and drug use, fighting, theft, and more severe forms of juvenile delinquency, as well as dropping out of school and low academic achievement. Meanwhile, according to Prayitno and Amti (Marisa et al., 2020), the negative impacts of truancy include, among others (1) a decline in interest in learning, (2) failing exams, (3) learning outcomes below potential, (4) absence from class, (5) difficulty mastering subject material compared to peers, and (6) expulsion from school. Given the numerous negative effects of truancy in school, 573 efforts are needed from guidance counselors, one of which is implementing group counseling services. Group counseling services, according to Sukardi (Safithry & Anita, 2019), are services such as guidance and counseling that provide students with the opportunity to discuss and resolve their problems within a group setting. Group counseling, according to Nanang Martono (Gunawan et al., 2020), is a dynamic interpersonal process that emphasizes conscious thought and behavior and has therapeutic goals. Kurnanto (Indrawati, 2021) asserts that the purpose of group counseling is to help students improve their social skills, (...truncated)