Challenges along the way

I was able to get all the documents on referrals and sort them to assess how many referrals of level 1 and 2 offenses happened last year and how many ended in suspensions.  Most of the offenses were level 1.  There were several level 1 offenses that escalated to level 2 offenses.  Level 1 offenses deal with classroom management.  The total of referrals were over 150. The school last year had lack of structure and all the administration was new that year..  The school has been in constant transition for the last 4 years.

This year our school had a new principal and a new school counselor, and about 10 bran new teachers most are still in the AC program.  The social behavior program our principal, Ms. King  wanted  by Sean Covey, 7 Habits of Highly Effecitve Teens to implement has not materialized. But she has worked on establishing a positive school culture.

One of the items that she has implemented has been to give the students 4 positive interactions as they enter the school.  Teachers shake hands with students and welcome them to the school.  The school has a slogan and the focus is “college bound”.  I think the biggest challenge at this time is the fact that we have so many new teachers who lack experience.  First year of teaching is always a challenge with so many new things to learn.  Of course, the kids are always a challenge. 

I am going to schedule a meeting with Ms. King to see if we are going to focus on the social behavior program.  If not, I will need to review and possibly change my research project. That meeting will be the deciding factor.