Reflection

1. Reflection To be alienated is to lack a sense of belonging, to feel cut off from family, friends, school, or work: the four worlds of childhood. -Urie Bronfenbrenner (1986)

2. Reclaiming Youth at Risk:Keynote Address Miriam Taylor Assistant Superintendent for Learning Support Services Ellen Stoltz, Ph.D Senior Director of Special Education Services

3. Purpose/Process/Pay-off • Teaching students with challenging behaviors instead of criminalizing disability • Building background • Reclaiming youth at-risk: The Four A’s

4. The Four A’s of Implementing a Reclaiming Environment Strive for: To mitigate: Attachment Achievement Autonomy Altruism Gang loyalty Academic Failure Passive, Aggression Selfishness

5. Let’s Look at the Data… • Suspensions by schools • Trend Data, number of students with ED and ADHD • Monies allocated for outplacements for students with challenging behavior

6. Students with Emotional Disabilities Suspended More than 10 Days: Zone 1 Schools

7. Students with Emotional Disabilities Suspended More than 10 Days: Zone 2 Schools

8. Students with Emotional Disabilities Suspended More than 10 Days: Zone 3 Schools

9. Students with Emotional Disabilities Suspended More than 10 Days: Zone 4 Schools

10. We don’t have that here/We can’t do that here We are tired of dealing with him This will not fit in my schedule He doesn’t care He is bi-polar Day One, I knew he didn’t belong here He has given up Somewhere else will make a difference I can’t sacrifice the safety of other students I need to set an example for others Top Ten Reasons for More Restrictive Settings….

11. Outplacement Cost for Students with Emotional and Attentional Disabilities

12. Effect of Out-Placements… • Achievement data (CMT/CAPT) for students with ED or ADHD • Graduation Rate • Drop-Out Rate • Return to District • Judicial Involvement

13. Our Hope for the Future A Reading from Archbishop Desmond Tutu

14. Reclaiming Youth at Risk Definition… • Creates change that meets the needs of both the young person and the society • Restores value to something or someone that has been devalued

15. The Four A’s of Implementing a Reclaiming Environment Strive for: To mitigate: Attachment Achievement Autonomy Altruism Gang loyalty Academic Failure Passive, Aggression Selfishness

16. Belonging in a supportive community Meeting one’s needs for mastery Lost in a depersonalized bureaucracy Inflexible systems for the convenience of adults Reclaiming Environment vs. Current Environment

17. Involving youth in determining their future Expecting youth to be caregivers Controlling behavior to meet adult needs Creating overdependence on the care of adults Reclaiming vs. Current

18. An Historical Perspective The past 200 years, people who were • emotionally ill • intellectually different • physically handicapped • troubled at home …were institutionalized to maintain the façade that society was working smoothly.

19. Today… Public Schools are charged to educate ALL students to prepare for the future

20. Across the United States… Greater stake in achieving school success because: • World power • Global economic indicators • Knowledge-based society • Staggering cost of supporting drop-outs, illiteracy, unemployable, and mentally ill citizens

21. Four Ecological Hazards to Children • Destructive Relationships • Climates of Futility • Learned Irresponsibility • Loss of Purpose

22. How many of these fit into the Four Hazards? We don’t have that here/We can’t do that here We are tired of dealing with him This will not fit in my schedule He doesn’t care He is bi-polar Day One, I knew he didn’t belong here He belongs in Adult Ed Somewhere else will make a difference I can’t sacrifice the safety of other students I need to set an example for others

23. Profile in Discouragement Richard’s Story

24. Four Ways to Mend the Four Hazards • Destructive Relationships: Attachment (Belonging) • Climates of Futility: Achievement (Mastery) • Learned Irresponsibility: Autonomy (Independence) • Loss of Purpose: Altruism (Generosity)

25. Mending the Broken CircleHazard One: Destructive Relationships Attachment Does Not Belong Gang loyalty Guarded Rejected Lonely, promiscuous Aloof Isolated Distrustful,dependent • Identifies with group • Loving • Friendly • Intimate • Gregarious • Cooperative • Trusting

26. Mending the Broken CircleHazard Two: Futility Achievement Failure Nonachiever Failure-oriented Avoids risks Fears challenge Unmotivated Gives up easily Inadequate • Strengths • Successful • Creative • Problem-solver • Motivated • Persistent • Competent

27. Mending the Broken CircleHazard Three: Learned Irresponsiblity Autonomy Dependency Dictatorial, passive Lacks esteem Inferiority Power struggles Manipulative Rebellious Defiant, easily led • Self-sufficient • Confident • Assertive • Responsible • Inner Control • Self-Discipline • Leadership

28. Mending the Broken CircleHazard Four: Loss of Purpose Altruism Self-centered Selfish Affectionless Narcissistic, martyr Co-Dependent Hardened, aloof Antisocial Exploits, bullies • Generous • Caring • Sharing • Loyal • Empathetic • Pro-social • Supportive

29. The Four A’s of Implementing a Reclaiming Environment Strive for: To mitigate: Gang loyalty Academic Failure Passive, Aggression Selfishness • Attachment • Achievement • Autonomy • Altruism

30. The Four A’s of Implementing a Reclaiming Environment: Attachment Strive for: From someone who is: Social Reinforcement Encouragement and Attention Modeling and Corrective Teaching Turning Crises into Opportunity Beloved and admired Trusted and safe Significant in the Four Worlds of Childhood Loving the unlovable, Respectful and respected

31. The Four A’s of Implementing a Reclaiming Environment: Achievement Strive for: By teaching: Identifying patterns Non-threatening environments Experiential activities Social engagement Concepts, not facts Self-directed WebQuests How to mentor a younger student Accountable Cooperative Learning

32. The Four A’s of Implementing a Reclaiming Environment: Autonomy Strive for Discipline Replace Punishment Prevent problems Natural consequences discussed with youth Respect for social responsibility taught; demand greatness not obedience Control by inner values expected; mobilize the power of peers Reactive after problem occurs Adult-imposed pre-determined consequence Obedience to authority taught Control by external rule enforcement

33. The Four A’s of Implementing a Reclaiming Environment: Altruism Strive for To replace Doing for others; hooked on helping Empathy for the condition of less fortunate Courage and responsibility Attachment to people Loneliness and alienation Self-centeredness Poor self-esteem Focus on acquiring material objects

34. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO CHANGE ONE OF THE FOUR WORLDS FOR ONE STUDENT? • Effect of Critical Mass • Effect of Distributed Leadership • Effect of Starfish Thinking

35. Closing Link • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEFKfXiCbLw&feature=related