UNIT ONE

BEHAVIOR CONTRACT

Sample Discipline Policy with Follow-up

If the classroom is to be a positive learning environment, students must feel secure to interact with the instructor.  Often this is not the case in the classroom.  A discipline policy should reflect several things:

1.  It should be easy to administer and take very little teaching time.

2.  It should allow the teacher/student team to interact without excessive emotion (fact: the person in the classroom most likely to increase the level of confrontation is the teacher).

3.  It should allow both the teacher and the student to express concern about the other's behavior.

4.  It should allow for the development of the behavior desired (failure should be expected and controlled).

5.  It should encourage participant accountability and acceptance of actions.

To this end a model of teacher/student behavior has been developed over the years.  This model has been used at all levels of education with modification.  It is designed by student input with very little teacher interaction.  What you see has been put on the computer and, even though
student input has been sought every year, has not deviated in 20 years.

Premise:  Students know how to act and what is expected of them in a classroom, regardless of age.

BEHAVIOR CONTRACT

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TEACHER;
1.  Help the student to learn-make presentations clear, expect questions and additional explanations.
2.  be consistent-maintain a positive learning environment
3.  Make learning fun by providing:
    a.  "hands-on" experiences
    b.  projects and demonstrations
    c.  a variety of learning activities
4.  At grade level assignments, encourage students to participate
5.  Give a reasonable time span for assignments
6.  Answer questions with understanding
7.  Respect the class team-be considerate, helpful, understanding, patient, listening, respect the class time limits.
8.  Be relaxed but focused
9.  monitor consequences
10.  Have a sense of humor
11. Limit homework to 1-1/2 hour per week

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE STUDENT

1.  Respect the class team and yourself-be courteous
2.  Do work-on time, not late, take pride in your work
3.  Be cooperative-behave properly, be a team member, follow directions
4.  Listen when others are speaking
5.  Be to class on time, ready to work:
a.  pens, and sharpened pencils, paper
b.  in your seat when the bell rings
6.  Accept the challenge of learning-be confident and helpful to others
7.  Try-practice is necessary for success, its OK to fail
8.  Ask questions if you do not understand-don't give up
9.  Be willing to learn-have a positive attitude and be on-task, don't give up
10.  Accept responsibility for your actions and your education
11. Have a sense of humor, but be controlled

POSITIVE CONSEQUENCES

1.  3-5 minutes of controlled free time at the end of class
2.  No weekend or vacation homework
3.  No homework for that day
4.  "Free" video-no assignment
5.  Pick your own work group
6.  Game day
7.  "Snack" day
8.  Special, extra credit, assignments

NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES

1.  Warning-non verbal
2.  Warning-verbal, deduction of class participation points
3.  Written warning-resign behavior contract, begin office referral
4.  parent contact
5.  After school detention
6.  Citizenship grade lowered
7.  Time out
8.  Refer to counselor
9.  Refer to Vice Principal or office

I have read the above contract and agree to participate in its outlined conduct.  I agree to the possible consequences

Teacher  __________________________
Student ____________________________

Parent or Guardian _________________________

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I like the terms consequences rather than "rewards" or "punishments" as these terms do not assign a personal responsibility or order for their incurrence.

The teacher section requires a "bold" student (they like that!) to address the issue of teacher compliance.  This often will necessitate the teacher to actually do something to illicit the student response.  One of the responsibilities of the teacher is to provide adequate time for homework
completion.  At times I will give a ridiculous assignment with a short due date to cause student response.  We then work out a compromise, often a shortening of the assignment or a lengthening of the due date.  This helps
students to know that you honor their person and input.

VIEW FOLLOW-UP CONTRACT HERE