Quality Schools
After presenting these ideas at the NAREN (National At-Risk Education Network) in Wisconsin last week, I was asked to write an article that would be able to reach more people to spread the exciting word about Dr. William Glasser's work in the area of Quality Schools.
There are many characteristics that are required in order for a school to be listed as a Quality School. There are currently 13 such schools in the country, with many more on their journey to become Quality Schools.
In a Quality School, relationships are based upon trust and respect, and all discipline problems, not incidents, have been eliminated. Total Learning Competency is stressed and an evaluation that is below competence or what is now a "B" has been eliminated. All schooling as defined by Dr. William Glasser has been replaced by useful education. All students do some Quality Work each year that is significantly beyond competence. All such work receives an "A" grade or higher, such as an "A+".
Students and staff are taught to use Choice Theory in their lives and in their work in school. Parents are encouraged to participate in study groups to become familiar with the ideas of Dr. William Glasser. Students do better on state proficiency tests and college entrance examinations. The importance of these tests is emphasized in the school. Staff, students, parents and administrators view the school as a joyful place.
All of the above criterion must be in place to be listed as a Quality School. When a school is a Quality School, the dictates of "No Child Left Behind" take care of themselves. Now, of course there will be a few children who have totally rejected school that are unreachable but for the majority, they will learn and do quality work.
The way to achieve this is to implement the three conditions of quality. First, the school and each classroom must create an environment that will meet the needs of the students, and consequently of teachers. All humans are born with five basic human needs. We have the need for survival, connection/love, power, freedom and fun/learning. This is true of students and teachers.
In order to help students meet their need for survival, the school and classroom must be safe. They must feel that they won't be hurt physically or emotionally. When students feel safe, there is no need to threaten teachers or other students.
In order for students to satisfy their need for connection/love, they must have a relationship with the teacher and the other students. They must believe that the teacher has their best interest at heart. The more you give love and connection away, the more they come back to you.
In order to satisfy a student's need for power, teachers must listen to and respect their students' ideas and issues. This does not mean that teachers must agree with their students but they must at least let the students know that they are important. When students feel listened to and respected, they don't disrespect their teachers and they tend to listen more.
For students to have freedom, they must have choices. They must not be bogged down in rules and regulations. When students have choices, they won't have the need to create destructive choices of their own.
In school, learning should be fun. Learning is always fun when the learning is useful and the students want to learn what is being taught. Imagine students having fun learning! Isn't that the dream of teachers everywhere? When your students are having fun, you do too.
I know this sounds like an impossible task but there are many schools doing just that with training in Dr. William Glasser's Choice Theory. Creating a need-satisfying environment is what actually eliminates discipline problems. If someone has a legitimate, appropriate way to get his/her needs met, then there is no reason to create discipline problems.
Switching courses over to a competency-based approach is critical to the Quality School concept. Students are not permitted to get credit for less than B work and they have opportunities to improve their work until it meets the minimum standard for a B. Concepts are taught in such a way that reduces the need for memorizing facts that can be found in any encyclopedia or text.
This and more speaks to the second condition of quality that students will only be asked to do useful work. It is the teacher's job to convince students that what they are being asked to do is useful in the real world. If you are successful in that endeavor, you will have willing students. Wouldn't that make your job more enjoyable for you?
The final condition of quality is self-evaluation. Students are asked to grade their own work. There are two essential items that must be met in order to get accurate self-evaluations from students. First, they must have no fear that the teacher or anyone else will hurt them with an honest self-evaluation. Second, there must be a clear rubric in place that will give students a model against which to compare their own work.
Self-evaluation does not replace the need of the teacher or teacher's aide (another student already judged to be competent in that particular area) from corroborating the student's self-evaluation. Students are not punished for less than competent work. Rather they are shown where their work is lacking and given the opportunity to fix it. This, again, is a skill that is seen everyday in the real world. Rarely do people actually loss their jobs for substandard work. They are told what is wrong and asked to fix it.
Of course this is just a thumb nail sketch of what is necessary to become a Quality School but if you or anyone you know is interested in learning more, visit http://www.coachingforexcellence.biz and check our calendar for upcoming teleclasses, chats and workshops.
Kim Olver has an undergraduate degree in psychology, a graduate degree in counseling, is a National Certified Counselor and is a licensed professional counselor. Since 1987, Kim has extensively studied the work of Dr. William Glasser's Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management. She was certified in Reality Therapy in 1992 and continued her studies to become a certified instructor for the William Glasser Institute. She is an expert at empowering people to navigate the sometimes difficult course of life---teaching them how to get the most out of the circumstances life provides them. These are incredibly powerful ideas with equal application to one's work and personal lives. Kim can work with you to empower your staff and clients and propel your organization to the next level.
 Google News Updated : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:51:42 GMT Google unfurls less laughable Wikipedia - Register
Register - By Cade Metz in San Francisco → More by this author Back in December, the search engine cum world power announced an anyone-can-edit online encyclopedia it insists on calling Knol, and this morning, with a post to The Official Google Blog, ... Google Launches Knol, The Monetizable Wikipedia Google opens Knol website, a wiki with bylines Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:46:16 GMT "Bad Girls" mind-set, Pierson and Parker a volatile mix - WNBA - ESPN ESPN - By Mechelle Voepel What does it take to light up a tinderbox? Just a spark. Or in the case of the Detroit-Los Angeles scuffle with 4.6 seconds left of a WNBA game Tuesday, it was a Spark. WNBA reviewing fight between Detroit, LA players Don't make Mahorn the bad boy in WNBA scuffle Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:15:40 GMT Angels' bats loom large in victory over Indians - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times - Normally tepid offense produces season highs in runs and hits (19). Jeff Mathis, Howie Kendrick and Casey Kotchman combine for 13 hits, Francisco Rodriguez gets 42nd save and team ups West lead to 10 By Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer The ... Mathis drives in six; Angels hold off Tribe in wild slugfest Angels pound Laffey, slam Mastny, in ripping Indians, 14-11 Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:05:36 GMT "Dark Knight" beats total of previous Batman film - Reuters
Reuters - By Dean Goodman LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - After just six days of release in North America, the new Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" has grossed more domestically than its predecessor did in its entire run, distributor Warner Bros. Video: 'Dark Knight' Sets Weekend Box Office Record 'Dark Knight' may be summer's highest-grossing film Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:19:56 GMT Genetic Cause of Statin-Related Muscle Pain Found - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Ed Edelson WEDNESDAY, July 23 (HealthDay News) -- British researchers have discovered a genetic variant that causes some people who take cholesterol-lowering statins to have the muscle weakness called myopathy. 7 Reasons Not to Dismiss Statin-Caused Pain Discovery may boost statin safety Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:59:27 GMT US House Approves Fannie-Freddie Bill by 272-152 (Update1) - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Brian Faler July 23 (Bloomberg) -- The US House of Representatives approved legislation designed to shore up confidence in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and stem the record surge in mortgage foreclosures, sending the bill to the Senate. Video: House OKs Rescue for Homeowners, Freddie, Fannie US mortgages: Bush relents on veto threat to Fannie and Freddie ... Publ.Date : Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:37:49 GMT Microsoft refunding gamers, Games for Windows Live goes free - Ars Technica
Ars Technica - By Frank Caron | Published: July 23, 2008 - 07:06PM CT PC gaming wasn't a huge factor at this year's E3, but it seems that Microsoft was merely biding its time before making its big moves to try and perk up the waning PC gaming market. Microsoft Drops Player Fees On Games For Windows Live Unangst: GFW Live Has Full Game Download Plans 'On The Roadmap' Publ.Date : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:17:11 GMT RSS to HTML |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... Many parents and students I counsel confuse Early Admission, Early... Read More If you run a home business, you know that budgets... Read More You've made the decision to pursue your degree online and... Read More Still struggling to pay off the college loan? Have you... Read More I always dreamed of going to school and getting a... Read More Don't give up your dream of enrolling in an online... Read More High School Ion Minulescu, Slatina, Graduates 1991.Clasa XII A, Baboi... Read More The first day of college begins with hopes and dreams... Read More Online education is a dramatic development in the advancement of... Read More During a recent conversation with a client, he shared with... Read More The driving factor of any university is to make the... Read More Have you long wanted or needed to increase your level... Read More It is highly recommended that early in the college selection... Read More Students nowadays start their research projects by looking up information... Read More Plagiarism has been condemned lately by all types of experts,... Read More The Student Financial Guide website is divided into categories pertaining... Read More What is happening on the campuses of secular universities across... Read More Digital Education is really coming along thanks to the US... Read More On March 12, 2005, high school juniors across the country... Read More Taking distance education courses requires more motivation and self discipline... Read More I spent the better part of 17 years in and... Read More The internet has revolutionized many parts of our economy. You... Read More Distance Learning Makes the GradeDistance Learning might make all the... Read More The format of distance learning courses is different than what... Read More I cannot overemphasize the importance of developing strong relationships with... Read More
Adsense
websites
The College-Bound Students Early Bird Menu
Consolidate Student Loans and Shop Online
Financial Aid for Online Education
How to Save Money While at College
Online Education
College Without A High School Diploma - Possible?
Aurel Voiculescu Memories From High School
College Is Way More Than Higher Education
Online Education Has The Power To Transform Lives And Fulfill Dreams
College Low Expectations Game Cost Students, Parents, & Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars
Business and Academia!
Get Your College Degree Online
Tips On College Selection
Academic Research on the Internet : There Is a Better Way
Why Students Turn To Custom Writing Services
Student Financial Guide is Your Guide to College Success
The Challenges College Students Face on Secular Campuses
Online Education and Digital Divide
Prepping for the new SAT I
Accredited Online Universities ? Getting Good Grades
Too Much to Read and Too Little Time
5 Leading Online Schools
Distance Learning : Get an education while you work!
Distance Learning Degree Program ? How to Study
Most Colleges Require Letters Of Recommendation
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Online Education Has The Power To Transform Lives And Fulfill Dreams
Online education is a dramatic development in the advancement of... Read More
Facing Your Fears as an Adult Returning to School
In case you hadn't noticed, career colleges aren't just for... Read More
Caribbean Single Market and Economy - Who Says UWI isn?t Doing Enough?
The University of the West Indies (UWI) has often been... Read More
College Roommate Personality Clashes: How to Survive
Are you living with your total opposite? It's amazing how... Read More
Financial Aid for Online Education
You've made the decision to pursue your degree online and... Read More
Study More Effectively
If you are studying for an exam or if you... Read More
All About Grants for College Students
Grants are a type of student aid that is awarded... Read More
Online Education and Digital Divide
Digital Education is really coming along thanks to the US... Read More
Online Colleges as a Resource for Your New Career
Online Colleges require successful team buildingMost online colleges require their... Read More
Secrets Of Successfully Sitting Exams
Many people work hard studying various subjects to sit for... Read More
Who Can Apply For Online Nursing Degrees?
Online nursing degrees are college degrees in the field of... Read More
How to Survive with As
Attend ClassGo to class, every class, every time. It is... Read More
Federal PLUS Loans
As a student entering college, it is very unlikely that... Read More
How to Choose the Right School For You
Now that the admission committees have handed you their decisions,... Read More
How Parents Can Help Allieviate The Stress of Getting Into College
Getting into college is a stressful experience for most high... Read More
College Low Expectations Game Cost Students, Parents, & Taxpayers Thousands of Dollars
During a recent conversation with a client, he shared with... Read More
What You Should Know About Scholarships
When it's time to go to college, the word "scholarship"... Read More
Choose the Delivery Mode for your e-Learning Course
There are so many ways to deliver instruction online that... Read More
The Challenges College Students Face on Secular Campuses
What is happening on the campuses of secular universities across... Read More
Whats behind the Explosive Growth in Distance Learning?
There is a ground swell of support globally to support... Read More
Five Questions To Ask A Computer Training School Before Signing Up
As with any field, there are good technical training schools,... Read More
Looking For a Rewards Program That Offers Free Money for College Students?
With the rising cost of books, tuition and housing, it's... Read More
The Pros and Cons of an Online College Degree
Getting a college degree online seemingly appears to be a... Read More
Distance Learning and Distance Learning Online
Distance learning has become extremely appealing and widely attended because... Read More
Writing The All-Important College Application Essay
The application essay is the most crucial piece of writing... Read More
College & University |