TI Attendance and Tardy Procedures

I think the important thing to remember is that contingency based responses (if you do this, then...) are not the most effective and that problem solving is more helpful. The "old" structures of a "policy" are what is not working.

We are working with a high school that maintains their old reporting procedures, but when students reach a certain number of tardies or truancies, they meet in a group during lunch to talk and problem solve. Listening to the students is powerful.

Learnings: Part of the problem is that the academics are not relevant. Part of the problem is that there is an open campus and lots of students leave for lunch and can't make it back in time (most recent proposed solution is a food truck across the street - which hasn't yet been implemented).

What happens if we work with students and make them part of the solution?

Both Washington state and Massachusetts reportedly have 'Trauma-Informed' Statewide School disciplinary policies. Perhaps the National Conference of State Legislatures has an update. The film (trauma-informed] "Paper-Tigers" was done at Lincoln High School in Walla Walla, Washington, and includes references/visuals of the Principal's "Feel Wheel"

Jody McVittie posted:

I think the important thing to remember is that contingency based responses (if you do this, then...) are not the most effective and that problem solving is more helpful. The "old" structures of a "policy" are what is not working.

We are working with a high school that maintains their old reporting procedures, but when students reach a certain number of tardies or truancies, they meet in a group during lunch to talk and problem solve. Listening to the students is powerful.

Learnings: Part of the problem is that the academics are not relevant. Part of the problem is that there is an open campus and lots of students leave for lunch and can't make it back in time (most recent proposed solution is a food truck across the street - which hasn't yet been implemented).

What happens if we work with students and make them part of the solution?

Jody- this is great.  We certainly plan to create a restructure where we involve the students and staff.  We have lots of ideas for a renewed practice (which includes asking students what is happening that creates barriers to getting to class on time or at all), but also want to continue to learn from others that are doing this work.  I love the idea of a food truck.

As we change practice we will start to change procedures outlined in handbooks, etc., which will allow parents, staff, and the community to all be on the same page with the approach we use.

I appreciate your thoughts on this, very much.

Danielle

Robert Olcott posted:

Both Washington state and Massachusetts reportedly have 'Trauma-Informed' Statewide School disciplinary policies. Perhaps the National Conference of State Legislatures has an update. The film (trauma-informed] "Paper-Tigers" was done at Lincoln High School in Walla Walla, Washington, and includes references/visuals of the Principal's "Feel Wheel"

All very good ideas of place to look.  Thank you.

Danielle- you may want to post a similar question in the ACEs in Education community - might get additional comments!