A Draft of the VHS ROP Contract
Well, here we are, folks, with a draft of a VHS ROP Contract, which you can view by clicking here, or by clicking on its link in the Links section to the right.
Let me know what you think.
I'm excited to think about our having a strong, unified disciplinary policy to support our teaching next year, and for years to come.
5 Comments:
Calvin, I like this idea. I'm concerned with the time it will take to track their weekly scores.
May I suggest we replace "win" with "earn" in the contract?
Randy,
I've used this scoring method the past year, and it's easy to keep track of. Basically it's a negative point system. You only have to record the negative scores. I always had my Aeries open on my desktop and would walk over to deduct points whenever a student proved they weren't going to do good work that period or earned a disciplinary referral. Sometimes I'd refer them to the dean and sometimes I'd just deduct points. I always informed them when it happened.
As for the attendance and the tardies, I'd do them Monday mornings right after I took roll and gave the mini-lesson to get them on-task. Then I'd print the point totals as they stood and then posted them on the wall. I started everyone at 105 points each grading period and deducted for six weeks. My new method is meant to give kids a chance to turn things around by getting a fresh start each week. Last year, kids would say, "I've got an F already, so WGAF..." The new system will hopefully give students a way to come back.
As for "win" or "earn" either one is fine. I chose "win" to be more upbeat. Last year, students "lost" points. That was negative. I like "win" for psychological reasons. Let's toss it around the group and see what people like.
Thanks for checking in and joining us.
Well if you can leave Aeries open during class it's easy, but there's no way Ican do that. this is one of the points I see needs some discussion. i love the concept but I want to keep the required time on my part to a minimum.
May I open my invitation, again, to have everyone over to my house during the first week of August?
I get home late from Costa Rica on
Sunday, July 30, but will be happy to have everyone here for a meeting and dinner Wed, Thur, or Fri that week. I suggest Thursday. If we can't all make it then, we can go to one of the other days instead. Let me know... I leave for Costa Rica next week. Talk to you all soon! Has anyone heard from Chris or Heidi this summer?
~Susan~
P.S. I'll be out on my NEW KAYAK in all my spare time between now land then. Look for fme on the river...
Susan,
When I talk about having Aeries open, I'm talking about the Gradebook. I create an Aeries gradebook for each class, and have a "performance" score entered as one of the assignments. The score can be on-going for each grading period (I also have a PowerPoint, a Study Guide, etc., that factor in).
Anyway, when a student does something to lose points, I walk over to my computer and adjust the score. It takes a couple of seconds. As I mentioned to Randy, I calculate my attendance and tardy scores weekly, giving kids time to clear their absences. Since we can access Aeries at home, we can do this any time we like.
Most important is this: If we have a contract, it must mean something. In school, that means accountability and consequences for a contract to have teeth. A toothless contract is worse than none at all. Students will only be moved if we hold them accountable. Accountability requires accounting. It must be the real deal, or the kids spot it a mile away.
It sounds as if, to make this thing fly, we might require training in the operational aspect in order to pull off the conceptual aspect. I absolutely offer to train any and all in the operational aspects, including using a paper gradebook if preferred. We can do this if we commit to it and embrace the procedures. In the end, we will have better assessment tools coupled with better accountability tools.
What broke down at VHS last year was our system of accountability, and we all know we paid dearly for it. And that eats away at our time, too. We can't count on VHS to help us, at least in the near-term. Let's front-load solutions instead of back-loading fixes. Time is time, no matter how it is consumed.
Which way will save us the most grief while making us the better teachers for it?
BTW, I'm free any of those nights, Susan, and would love to come over and have a fun, working dinner.
Post a Comment
<< Home