UNIT ONE

FOLLOW-UP CONTRACT

Sample Discipline Policy with Follow-up

CAUGHT IN THE ACT!!!

There will always be students that need added encouragement to allow you to teach.  This is addressed with the Classroom Contract and is based on the Behavior Contract.  There are 5 steps to the Classroom Contract:

I ___________________ have been misbehaving in Dr. Z's class.  It has been determined that the following actions must be taken because of the problems my activities have caused.  I have violated my teacher/student contract in
the following areas:

_______________________

Step 1:  I acknowledge the above activities and the possible following consequences if they continue 
_________________________.  Date ___________

Step 2:  I concede I have continued the above activities and understand my parents will be contracted about my behavior______________.  Date __________

Step 3:  I am becoming a major problem to Dr. Z because of my choice to ignore the teacher/student contract in the above area.  I recognize I must rethink my actions to accomplish my goals in life.  I agree to write a brief explanation of my activities, whey they are limiting my ability to achieve my educational goals and how I am going to change my choices.  I will have my parents sign this assignment and will return it to Dr. Z within 7 days of today's date.  _________________   Date _________

Step 4:  I have failed to redirect my activities toward achieving my educational goal.  I accept that I will need to accomplish my daily work outside the group.  I will not return to class without bringing my parents to visit with Dr. Z and making a plan to change my behavior. 
_______________  Date ___________

Step 5:  Even though Dr. Z and my parents have repeatedly tried to redirect my activities, I have chosen to ignore their concern.  I request that I be sent to the vice Principal's office to receive added encouragement to
change.
_____________________    Date ________________


I have rarely, in 20 years gone beyond step 2 and never beyond step 3.  In 20 years of using this format, I have never sent a student to the office for classroom discipline reasons (other than fighting, bullying, etc).  The nice thing about the system is it allows you to be emotionless in the dealing with discipline problems.  You simply refer to the behavior contract.

In dealing with students and getting them to accept responsibility for their actions, give them choices rather than demands.  This takes the role of the disciplinarian from you and places it on the student to accept responsibility for their actions:

"John, you seem unable to keep from talking where you are sitting, can you take care of it or would you rather change seats or have me assign you a new seat?"

If the problem continues you can take choices away.  "John, you are continuing to interrupt instruction with your talking.  You will need to move.  Would you like to choose your new seat, or would you rather me assign one for you?"

Choices are your friend and will lessen the negative impact of discipline for the rest of the class.  It also will emphasize that, again, the classroom is a team and you respect the student's ability to choose.