The force field analysis really seemed easy for me. I guess the layout of it goes well with my analytical mind and how I organize my thoughts. I found the CARE method a little more challenging so I am open to suggestions.
Lewin outlines seven steps in his force field analysis. I have completed the analysis in regards to my action research project.
Step 1: Describe the current situation – Many Gator students exhibit great behavior and serve as great models for their peers. Although many teachers reward these model students, we need a school-wide system that rewards the students who are doing what is right without being told.
Step 2: Describe the proposed change – A leadership team consisting of volunteer teachers, the principal, vice-principal, counselor, and special education teacher will compose a plan that will reward good behaviors consistently and will encourage all students to follow school rules.
Step 3: What if no change occurs? – Students who exhibit good behavior may get burned out from constant modeling. The changing demographics lead us to believe that we will have more and more children who have not practiced desired behaviors consistently. The referral load will continue to grow. Moral at the school will decline over time.
Step 4: Identify driving forces – Teachers are willing to implement a new plan. Parents will support our positive reward system. Students’ esteem will rise when they receive rewards for making good choices. All staff and teachers will be using the same system so our team moral will be evident. Our school will continue to be a place of nurturing love and guidance.
Step 5: Identify resisting forces – Students will have to be introduced to the new system. A small financial commitment for implementation and training for the staff. Rewards for students will cost money.
Step 6: Determine if change is viable – Yes!!! The driving forces are much greater than the resisting forces.
Step 7: What is needed for implementation? - Training of staff will occur at beginning of the year staff development. Coins and containers for each classroom. Copies of the discipline plan will be distributed to staff. Daily reminders to students and encouragement of staff.
Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools Sandra Harris, Stacey Edmonson, Julie Combs
Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool
Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)
(Assign points to concerns from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)
1. Positive behaviors must continue to grow among our students even though our students are coming to use with less discipline support from home.
2. Negative consequences can not be the driving forces for changing behavior.
3. Students who are making good choices (regarding behavior and academic effort) should feel rewarded for their efforts.
Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)
(Assign points to affirmations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)
1. Our school is a loving, nurturing place for all children.
2. Our teachers go above and beyond to encourage children to reach for their dreams.
3. All children are making progress academically and behaviorally.
SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:
(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)
(Assign points to recommendations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important recommendations to implement.)
1. Teachers will reward 150 behavior/academic effort rewards over every 4-week period.
2. Students who continually display desired behaviors will attend a special party at the end of 4 weeks. (based on an average of coins given to top recipients of each class)
3. Referrals must be a last resort or kept for extreme behavior occurances.
EVALUATE – Specifically and Often
(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)
1. Teachers will provide class rewards when their class reaches recommended coin levels to ensure that they are giving out the 150 coins.
2. Coins will be recounted and distributed at the beginning of each 4 week cycle.
3. Teachers will fill out a google doc to determine how many coins were given out to their top class recipients.
Your CARE Model is great! It may not have come easy to you by I can clearly gauge your plan. I really like the coin method. I would love to implement something simialr on my campus. Behavior is always an issue and I firmly believe a school wide plan would be very beneficial. Expectations would be the same from grade to grade. I look forward to reading about your progress.
ReplyDeleteYou might research Tribes. Tribes is 4 step process that helps achieve specific learning goals. There are Four agreements that are honored in the classroom: attentive listening, appreciation/no put downs, mutual respect, and the right to pass. These are your classrooms norms or rules.
ReplyDeleteTheir website is www.tribes.com.
Good Luck!