A Reader Writes... Getting Rid of ISS - Part 3

In response to the 3/26/13 post, “Getting Rid of ISS – Part 2,” a LYS Assistant Superintendent writes:

SC,

You may not be surprised to hear that one of your former campuses now uses ISS. The rationale was to change behavior and keep students in school. The data shows the same students spend more time in ISS than in class until they get fed up and escalate the behavior to ensure they get sent home. No one wins. Everyone loses. It makes me very sad. There are alternatives for dress code violations that don't involve being out of class. It just takes a planning, creativity and leadership will.

SC Response

Sad, but not surprising news.  It has been 11 years since I left (it seems like it was only last week).  Maintaining a campus culture that values student learning above all else is difficult proposition.  It means that regularly, you have to advocate for and act on the needs of the voiceless and powerless (students) over the needs of those with voice, influence and power (adults).  Without a crystal clear understanding of the mission of the campus and resolute leadership will, the base needs of adults (power, order, status, comfort and revenge) will invariably shape the practices, structures and procedures of the campus.

That in of itself isn’t good or bad.  It just is.  What I find galling is those who have the experience to know better and are in a position to temper this, choose not to.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

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