I attended the 2nd grade Open House at my son's elementary school this past week. They gave a brief overview of a NEW pilot behavior plan for this grade this year. It is my understanding that it will be implemented district wide at some point. While it is being pushed as a classroom management program, it clearly affects all aspects of their learning. In one article written by Dr. Marshall, he stated that these changes will result in a "fundamental change" in the classroom environment.
The 2nd grade team of teachers presented this new program and also stated that their will be "no homework or grades" this year. They will only receive a Mastered or Not Mastered.
The new program will also be utilizing a letter system for behavior as opposed to "clip" program which rewarded good behavior. According to Dr. Marvin Marshall's book, " Discipline Without Stress® Punishments or Rewards: How Teachers and Parents Promote Responsibility & Learning There are four levels to this program: D being the highest stands for "Democracy" and A being the lowest level for "Anarchy." While the teachers at our school explained that "D" stood for "doing the right thing," I am a bit concerned that we were not informed enough about this program. The next thing that they will say is that "we should get used to these words," and that over time the words will have less of an impact on us. (It actually states that in a forum online)
In this program, there are no levels for punishment or rewards for good behavior. It is a program based on a concept of " Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom " by William Glasser. He wrote "Schools Without Failure" in 1969. I have not been able to find any statistics that show the effectiveness of a program such as this nor can I find any valid studies that shows this was even tried before implemented.
The website provides testimonials and rave comments, but I am truly aprehensive. While I have considered pulling him and homeschooling, I am concerned that if he is not a student, then I have no way to let others know that this is going on and that the district will implement this soon for the entire district.
If anyone can help and provide feedback, please respond.
First Comment:
Ewww. This is very creepy. I can see why you are concerned! In particular I do not like the signs that you attached. "C" is supposed to be a positive thing, yet it includes "conforms to peer pressure"? I do not believe that peer pressure is always, or maybe even usually, a good thing.
I would pull him out and homeschool. I just would not allow this type of indoctrination. It reeks of the socialist agenda - Everybody is the same, no need for grades or rewards.
Where is the incentive to achieve??? To learn??
As a taxpayer in your district, you certainly can still go to school board meetings and share what you know. You can spread the word with your friends or parents of your child who go to schools in your district. You could advertise it on the internet. Maybe even create a website sharing your concerns, if you don't have a blog already.
Also, just wanted to share with you that this seems to be a popular form of parenting that is on the rise, raising kids without any praise/reward/punishment. My sister has friends who do this. If their child does something good, they say "I see you threw the ball" but they don't say "good job throwing that ball". If the child misbehaves, they don't punish her. They don't redirect her. They call it "consensual living", and say that their child has the same rights as they do, because we all have the same rights.
I am not sure if they got this theory from the same guy who is referenced here, but it sure does sound kind of the same, as far as the "we're all the same" thing.
We are not all the same, God made each of us unique, and that is definitely being lost on our students and sadly, our teachers and administrators.
Good for you for standing up and recognizing this problem! Good luck. Let us know what happens.
Her Letter
TO the Teacher, Prinicpals and Superintendent:
I wanted to let you know that after much thoughts and prayers, my husband and I have decided to homeschool Ryan this year. While we were optimistic this year when meeting you and all that you have to share, the "pilot" program that the school district has implemented for 2nd grade just does not seem to be in the best interest of our child. I also spoke with the Vice Principal at length with my concerns and still did not feel questions were answered about this program. I have reviewed many aspects of Dr. Marvin Marshall's program.
According to Dr. Marvin Marshall's book, " Discipline Without Stress® Punishments or Rewards: How Teachers and Parents Promote Responsibility & Learning”. There are four levels to this program: D being the highest stands for "Democracy" and A being the lowest level for "Anarchy." "C" is supposed to be a positive thing, yet it includes "conforms to peer pressure"? I do not believe that peer pressure is always, or maybe even usually, a good thing. While it was explained to the parents that "D" stands for "doing the right thing," I am a bit concerned that we, as parents, were not informed enough about this program. In one of the forums online for the program, a teacher asked about using these terms and was answered that if are introduced slowly and that over time the words will have less of an impact on us. Honestly, this type of deceptive practice, scares the heck out of me. Why was it not explained to the parents in the beginning the same as it suggests in the book? It is the same program. This is where my TRUST was lost.
In this program, there are no levels for punishment or rewards for good behavior. It is a program based on a concept of " Choice Theory: A New Psychology of Personal Freedom " by William Glasser. He wrote "Schools Without Failure" in 1969. I have not been able to find any statisitics that show the effectiveness of a program such as this nor can I find any valid studies on this type of program. The website provides testimonials and rave comments, but I am truly aprehensive. It states "testimonials and research" but I have yet find research. Here are some actual quotes from Dr. Glasser's website:
"Dr. Glasser’s approach is non-traditional. He does not believe in the concept of mental illness unless there is something organically wrong with the brain that can be confirmed by a pathologist. Very early, he came to the conclusion that genetically we are social creatures and need each other and that the cause of almost all psychological symptoms is our inability to get along with the important people in our lives." There has been plenty of research to disprove the first statement and most people would agree.
Also, stated during the 2nd grade Open House, it was also stated that their will be "no homework or grades" this year. They will only receive a Mastered or Not Mastered. This is another belief of Dr. Marshall. While I understand this is the current movement in schools, it does not show them the difference between a A,B,C, etc. nor does it show children how to work their way out of failure. I feel that this type of system is not providing our children with the work ethic that is in line with what will be required as an adult. I also fee and believe most others would agree that we are not all the same, that God made each of us unique, and that is definitely being lost on our students and sadly, now our teachers and administrators.
I will continue to pray for you, the school and the district as a whole in hopes that some light will shine in on quality programs for our children. In the meantime, I have to do what I feel is right for my son and it is to remove him from the indoctrination of "Fostering Social Responsibility," as described by Dr. Marvin Marshall.
Next Friday, September 17th will be Ryan's last day.
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