A Hint at the Action Plan...

Bill Scott once quoted a wise man:

 

"There are only three reasons why people don’t do what they are supposed to do. They are as follows:

 

1. They don’t know what they are supposed to do.

2. They don’t know how to do what they are supposed to do.

3. They don’t want to do what they are supposed to do...."

Bill continued on, echoing the sentiments of many when he stated...

"The crisis in discipline in SCSD directly relates to these reasons. The district leadership has not delivered a clear and consistent message to school staff, parents and students. When there is no clear expectation, school staff cannot make sure students know what to do. In our present breakdown of the social order, we cannot separate students in the first two categories from the third.

The plan that is about to be finalized by the “Group of Ten” deals with this crisis by considering these three reasons. A crisis does, not change the reasons, but it changes the way we address them.

The following steps are part of the plan: 

• The superintendent and the district leadership will visit schools and deliver a clear message: If you physically harm or threaten to harm a student or staff person in your school, you will be removed. This clearly addresses Reason 1 and adds a consequence that makes the “don’t want to” group think twice. As students see that those who violate the “prime directive” are removed from the traditional school setting, a new norm will begin to emerge and students will know and understand that there is a clear expectation.
• The district needs to provide an alternative education for students who have demonstrated the inability to comply with the “prime directive.” This alternative should offer the students a full educational opportunity, but it needs to add intensive social and emotional supports to assure that students learn the social skills necessary to return to the regular school setting. This addresses the students who don’t know how to do what they are supposed to do (Reason 2).
•  For those who fit into the category of Reason 3 (Don’t want to), intensive counseling should be offered to deal with the causes of not caring about the social order. This may, in fact, help to break the cycle of neglect that may lead some of our students on to deeper and deeper trouble.

When the "Group of Ten" brings their plan forward, it will be time for all who care about the future of the Syracuse City School District to show their support. If normal channels are non-responsive, it may be time to start marching. Much of the public is with the movement to save our schools."