Students, teachers, administrators, and district leaders all over the country are seeking to create innovative systems for reducing discipline problems in schools. With secondary school principals playing leading roles, these stakeholders are seeking alternatives to ineffective and inequitable disciplinary policies and practices that result in the use, overuse, and disproportional use of punitive and exclusionary sanctions that adversely impact students academically, socially, developmentally, and emotionally. Most educators aspire to help students develop the habits and skills of self-management, self-discipline, and social and emotional efficacy. However, the gap between these goals and current disciplinary practices is often great, the strategies for creating change are not clear, and the core elements of a different approach are not evident.
In this workshop, participants will (1) develop an integrated vision of school-wide discipline and student support, (2) improve their understanding of the role of school climate and culture in discipline and student support, (3) explore the qualities of an accountable and restorative model, (4) learn the components of an effective system of discipline and student support, (5) think together about a school’s vision (it’s mission, beliefs, and values) and how it provides direction for a school-wide discipline and student support model, and (6) explore school-wide initiatives that can become part “of the culture” and create an improved school climate.
Suggested Participants This workshop is designed for district and school leaders, educators, and school-based teams—including support staff, counselors, social workers, psychologists, and special-education coordinators—as well as family and community leaders who work with youth on issues related to education, discipline, and social justice.
