Comments on: The Equivocation of ‘Positive’ Part I http://www.classroomdiscipline101.com/classroom-management/2009/05/11/the-equivocation-of-positive-part-i/ Classroom Management and Classroom Discipline Strategies from the Real World Mon, 19 Dec 2011 04:31:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Alison http://www.classroomdiscipline101.com/classroom-management/2009/05/11/the-equivocation-of-positive-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-9601 Alison Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:15:13 +0000 http://www.classroomdiscipline101.com/classroom-management/?p=168#comment-9601 Craig, I think you have the clearest insight into the obstacles of today's teaching. I hope that someone in power is listening to you. If more educators and politicians would listen to your logic and experience, we could really save this sinking ship we call American "education". A recent study found that American students, the best of the best, scored well below at least 20 other industrialized nations. However, they scored at the top when measured for confidence. Ridiculous! And embarrassing. And it's due to the reasons you mention here. Cheers to you for your sobriety and realism. Now let's spread the word! Craig,

I think you have the clearest insight into the obstacles of today’s teaching. I hope that someone in power is listening to you. If more educators and politicians would listen to your logic and experience, we could really save this sinking ship we call American “education”. A recent study found that American students, the best of the best, scored well below at least 20 other industrialized nations. However, they scored at the top when measured for confidence. Ridiculous! And embarrassing. And it’s due to the reasons you mention here. Cheers to you for your sobriety and realism. Now let’s spread the word!

]]> By: Mitch Solomon http://www.classroomdiscipline101.com/classroom-management/2009/05/11/the-equivocation-of-positive-part-i/comment-page-1/#comment-6519 Mitch Solomon Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:17:17 +0000 http://www.classroomdiscipline101.com/classroom-management/?p=168#comment-6519 The negativity from teachers and administators: "The students don't...can't... haven't...never had...never did... etc. My responses: So, as the teacher, what are you doing about it? So, as the administrator, what are you doing about it? So, as the parent, what are you doing about it? So, as the student, what are you doing about it? Here is a scenario for you: Alternative program in a charter high school Block class of 36 classes, each class 100 minutes Classes are M-Th with Fridays held as a make-up and extra help day 9th grade English 30 students Average reading/writing ability level is 5th grade 12 SpEd (including mild mental retardation, ADHD, emotionally distrubed) 15 recently exited from ELL programs (within the last two school years) 25 are Title 1 (poverty level) All are inner city residents with living near continuous crime, gang activity and drugs Behavior: 20% abenteeism (students will miss an average of 7 classes - may or may not make them up on Friday), cell phones, i-pods, some chatter during class, reasonably well behaved (rarely violent or threats but some "attitude"), "appear" to be on task 75% of the time (over all), very passive - litle or no active rsponses in class discussion or Q.and A., rapport with teacher is good - freindly and polite. Parental involvement: 20% of the parents will respond to phone calls, 20% will show up for parent meetings (open school nights), 100% parents or guardians for enrollment and if needed, expulsion of student Administration's expectations are for the teacehr to meet the goal. Goal: All must meet 70% on reading and writing assessments (developed by district in alignment with state standards) by the conclusion of the block In this scenario, if you were the teacher, how would you proceed? The negativity from teachers and administators: “The students don’t…can’t… haven’t…never had…never did… etc.

My responses:
So, as the teacher, what are you doing about it?
So, as the administrator, what are you doing about it?
So, as the parent, what are you doing about it?
So, as the student, what are you doing about it?

Here is a scenario for you:
Alternative program in a charter high school
Block class of 36 classes, each class 100 minutes
Classes are M-Th with Fridays held as a make-up and extra help day
9th grade English
30 students
Average reading/writing ability level is 5th grade
12 SpEd (including mild mental retardation, ADHD, emotionally distrubed)
15 recently exited from ELL programs (within the last two school years)
25 are Title 1 (poverty level)
All are inner city residents with living near continuous crime, gang activity and drugs
Behavior: 20% abenteeism (students will miss an average of 7 classes – may or may not make them up on Friday), cell phones, i-pods, some chatter during class, reasonably well behaved (rarely violent or threats but some “attitude”), “appear” to be on task 75% of the time (over all), very passive – litle or no active rsponses in class discussion or Q.and A., rapport with teacher is good – freindly and polite.
Parental involvement: 20% of the parents will respond to phone calls, 20% will show up for parent meetings (open school nights), 100% parents or guardians for enrollment and if needed, expulsion of student
Administration’s expectations are for the teacehr to meet the goal.
Goal: All must meet 70% on reading and writing assessments (developed by district in alignment with state standards) by the conclusion of the block

In this scenario, if you were the teacher, how would you proceed?

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