source: pbs.org

“A pound of flesh” is a figurative way of referring to a harsh demand or spiteful penalty—the consequences of defaulting on a desperate bargain… Source: enotes.com

Survey any vice, assistant or principal about student discipline, and you are likely to get similar responses … We make discipline decisions on our policy, in accordance with our philosophy, we attempt to be transparent, we try to make kids learn from their mistakes. We involve parents, teachers and guidance.

Survey any teacher, staff, or aide and you might get these responses…. Our kids get away with too much, there are not enough suspensions, I just handle it myself because it is not worth it to send to the office, our administrators are not strict enough.

So, it seems that the two sets of stakeholders are viewing the issue from different perspectives… and this happens across the country probably more than we would like. I wrestle with this issue even though I feel like I have made decisions based on our district policies, in accordance with the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support, which is a nationally recognized approach to improving the climate and culture of schools. We work with consultants from a respected university who assist us with monitoring, tracking, and decision making in regards to classroom, and school wide management.

We have a committee that meets monthly to analyze student discipline referrals, both individually and through grade levels, and specific classrooms.  In addition to analyzing the data, and identifying trends and re-mediating those trends in a systemic manner, the committee sets school-wide positive rewards for students who adhere to the basic rules/guidelines of the school: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful. We have an instructional aide whose specific job responsibility is to work with teachers and students to ensure that students understand and learn from discipline. Yet, for some, its just not enough.

Critics of the program demand harsher punishments for students. They want to suspend individual students or punish entire classes without a clearly defined process. They want an “Old School” approach to discipline…. This is ironic because, as a student of education history, administrators who I have talked with (some who were in the role as far back as the 1970s) told me that suspensions were always used in extreme cases, especially in Elementary School. They report that working with parents and the students to correct the behavior was always the top priority. Often times, no actual discipline was awarded, but a stern talking to…. Sound familiar?

My hope is that as we continue to refine, and make research-based decisions on student discipline that we can everyone on board. I look forward to a day when classroom teachers have clear, consistent measures in place for dealing with classroom management. A day when teachers understand that kids are not perfect and are going to make mistakes. A day when students are not labeled “trouble makers” or “bad kids.” A day when teachers come into my office and report what they have done (warnings, parent conferences, PBIS referrals, guidance referrals, lunch detention, etc) and that we can work together to follow the policy on progressive discipline. A day when everyone truly understand the School to Prison Pipeline.

For further reading, and reflection:

Public Broadcasting System: Fact Sheet

Education Under Arrest 

Schools Becoming Dependent on Suspensions 

Source: @kleinerin

This Sunday (June 22, 2014) the Principalcast Crew hosts Erin Klein. Erin will be talking about the upcoming ISTE 2014 Conference in Atanta. We are excited to interview Erin because we learn so much from her! Erin Klein is a teacher, author, and parent who has earned her Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and currently teaches second grade. She has previously taught first, sixth, and seventh grade.

Erin is also the technology chairperson for the Michigan Reading Association, a national A Plus Workshop Presenter, SMART Technologies Exemplary Educator, Really Good Stuff Monthly Blogger, Edutopia Guest Blogger, Edudemic Guest Blogger and Magazine Contributor, National Writing Project member, and award-winning EduTech Blogger. Klein has most recently appeared in the Scholastic Instructor Magazine and co-authored Amazing Grades with experts from 13 countries around the world.

Come and learn about Erin, and the upcoming ISTE 2014 Conference this Sunday on teachercast.tv at 9:30 PM EST!

source: sociallyrelevant.us

So, I visit the middle school today because our video yearbook is complete and there is a machine there that can make multiple copies at one time. Mr. Perry, a colleague and friend (and very innovative teacher) is always gracious to help me out with this process. As we make the video copies, we get a chance to converse about the latest Mac news, share resources on emerging technology that can help students, and just catch up. I am always impressed with his ability to multi-task. Today he was reviewing with students web 2.0 tools that they could use for the summer or in high school.

During one of the breaks he took me to their 21st century, digital masterpiece affectionately known as Digital Media Center (DMC). This room has flat screens on the brick wall, the latest ergonomic tables and chairs, an 80 inch 3D TV,a Bright-Link, and most important room to grow and change as technology changes. When we entered the room the teachers, Mrs. Bermudez, and Mrs. Fisler looked at me and smiled…. “Students, do you know who this is?” they asked. “This is Dr. Cook, you have been reading and studying his blog.” My mouth was agape. I thought to myself, wow, and then… hmm what have I been writing about. The teachers went on to tell me that they are teaching the students about blogging and they wanted them to see someone’s blog that is close to them. I thanked the students, and encouraged them to comment.

What a great learning opportunity. I hope some of the kids start their own blogs, and use the platform to discuss their ideas. It is so rewarding to blog, and it helps develop your digital footprint. Happy reading and blogging. You never know who will be reading your blogs:)

source: agbeat.com

There is a very old saying that “patience is a virtue” and whoever first developed it couldn’t be more correct! Often times in organizations, there are deadlines, changes, innovations, and decisions that need to be made at the drop of the hat…. Yet, the best change, the best innovations, and sometimes the best news comes after being patient, very patient.

As I child, I can always remember adults telling me this infamous line, and now I am blogging about it… I must be getting old 🙂

source: www.lakelandfloridaliving.com

When I look at the student discipline for our school this year, I feel we did an outstanding job of keep discipline referrals, detentions, and suspensions to a minimum…. Then June happened. I actually do not want to look at the data yet (and compare it to the past few years) but all signs are pointing to a rise in discipline. Why does this happen?

Some theorize that students feel an anxiety about starting their summer, and others feel that teachers are busy finishing up grading, packing, and doing different assignments…. Still others feel that this winter long (with all the snow days) and extended the school year. I’m not sure how I feel, but I just know that the climate and culture of the building took a sharp turn in June…. And we still have 6 days left!

All things being equal, right? Source: sugenghome.blogspot.com

I love when Tom Whitby pushes the envelope! If you read his blog on a regular basis, then you know that he often pushes the envelope. This week, Tom wrote about the Tenure and Poverty issue facing educators across the country, specifically in California.  The long and short of the argument is that teachers who service lower socio-economic communities are being vilified for being ineffective. Lawmakers want to strip tenure from these teachers because they are “grossly ineffective.” Tom pointed out throughout the blog post how complicated this issue is, and he also points out how high the stakes are for those who can benefit from it! The shame of this is that these teachers are beginning to believe they are less effective then their counterparts in white suburbia! Little do they know that they are sometimes more innovative, caring and effective given the challenges.

The fact of the matter is that a teacher’s role in a child’s education is very significant. It is not however, the sole influence on that child’s education. Tom Whitby

Tom goes on to champion the cause of the impoverished in this country. As he says, “Poor schools are a symptom of poverty, not the other way around.” Very often (having had the opportunity of working in two different impoverished districts) teachers and administrators are brain-washed into believing there is no link, and poverty becomes something ‘out of our control’ or simply an ‘excuse.’ There are countless research studies that highlight the struggles those in poverty  face in education, with a smattering of success stories. I agree with Tom, that the answer is not to vilify these teachers in the media, label them as ‘grossly ineffective’ because this will solve the achievement gap?

It took a 6 year old about 10 minutes to create

My daughter has become very savvy with the Ipad. She has her own YouTube account and comments on various videos she watches. She uses hundreds of apps to do everything from dress her dolls to create Minecraft worlds.  She plays word searches, takes pictures, and owns her own learning. Did I mention that she is 6?

The other day she sent me a text that my WeeMee was completed. She worked on this WeeMee of me, and created it all herself. When I received it, I immediately saw that it was a non-linguistic representation of… me… She nailed it too.. Coffee, technology and a  soccer ball… I also think she wants me to bring my mustache back (lol).

Check out WeeMee and let your learning emerge….

Pre-order available now

Connected Leadership: It’s a click away is a practical guide to assist current and prospective school leaders to connect and learn from the global audience on social media. As a connected leader, I wrote the book to share with others how helpful it has been to develop a personal learning network, to tell the story of my school, and how social media has expanded my horizons as a leader. The five most important features in the book is that it is laid out in a practical manner, and each chapter has a story from a connected educator that exemplifies the purpose of the chapter and book. In this book, readers will learn what a PLN is, how blogging can help tell their school’s story, what current research says about being connected, and how this process can transform you as a leader.

“In Connected Leadership: It’s a click away, Spike Cook presents a practical, easy to understand, and more importantly easy to implement manual for becoming connected. Spike uses real life experiences from connected educators to highlight the tenets of the book. This is a must read for the connected and soon to be connected leaders!” Todd Whitaker 

Throughout this book, you will read about educators such as Brad Gustafson, an elementary principal who highlights his school in everything he does using Social Media. Then you will get a slice of what the researchers are saying as Jeff Carpenter and Daniel Krutka share their very timely research of 72 connected administrators from around the country. Chaptrer 2 also features Thad Haines, connected leader from Ohio who uses social media for professional and personal development. In chapter 3, Ben Gilpin discusses how his blog is used to display the power of reflection. Amber Teamann will show you how important a Professional Learning Network (PLN) is to your overall process of “connectedness.” In chapter 5, Theresa Stager, a first year principal from Michigan, will discuss how she has transformed in a short amount of time as a leader and connected learner. Finally, in the conclusion, trailblazer Melinda Miller will share her story of how after 8 years, she is still amazed by the role Social Media has played in her leadership.

Here is the cover of my first book to be released in fall 2014!

I realize that we only have about 8 more days of school remaining. I am not much a “count down” person (in fact I discourage it) but I can tell the last two weeks have been extremely busy with end of the year meetings with teachers, student discipline, activities, field trips, etc.

Ask anybody who works in a school and they will tell you that the end of the year boarders on insanity. Something just changes in the atmosphere. It’s as if the students know the summer is coming and they want to do anything they can to start their vacations early!!!!

With that said, I settle down to check my email (at 7:00 pm and still at work) and I see a new message from Corwin Press……It’s the cover of my new book! Wow, I SO NEEDED THIS TODAY!!!!!

Pre-order information here!

source: www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com

I know that when I rely on compliance that it is time to move on… I feel that challenging the process is so critical for organizations to be able to grow. As the leader, I feel a responsibility to always seek better ways of doing things. I often ask myself this question, “Why do we have to do things the same way as we always have?”

In order for our organizations to become world class, we need to develop a shared responsibility to avoid the “reliance on compliance” syndrome! Who is ready?