Modification of teacher behavior using videotapes and the Withall Social Emotional Climate and Golloway instruments to classify teacher behaviors resulted in maintaining positive pupil attitudes toward school and teachers and self-esteem over one academic year. Previous studies had shown a decline in these types of pupil attitudes during an academic year. Control classrooms in the study exhibited this decline. Six classrooms in grades 3, 6, and 8 were experimental sites. The six control classrooms of the same grades were selected in a poor, white Appalachian school district. Results indicated that socioeconomic level did not relate to student attitudes and that the verbal behavior of the teacher is one factor that affects student attitudes. The conclusion of the study is that achieving a positive attitude toward school on the part of students is a complex problem calling for more careful study of teacher behaviors and attitudes. (JD)