NCJ Number
42697
Journal
Phi Delta Kappan Volume: 53 Issue: 2 Dated: (OCTOBER 1971) Pages: 111-112
Date Published
1971
Length
2 pages
Annotation
DURING A SELF-DIRECTIVE DAY, A STUDENT IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND ALL HIS CLASSES, BUT IS FREE TO CHOOSE AN ACTIVITY DURING NONCLASS TIME. ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL HAS INCREASED AND GRADES HAVE GONE UP SLIGHTLY.
Abstract
TO BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SELF-DIRECTIVE DAY, A STUDENT SIGNS A 'CONTRACT' IN WHICH HE AGREES TO ATTEND ALL SCHEDULED CLASSES AND HOMEROOM, OBEY ALL LAWS, REFRAIN FROM VANDALISM, SMOKING, THE MISUSE OF DRUGS, AND ANY OTHER ACTIVITIES THAT MIGHT BE DISRUPTIVE TO THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS. IF THE STUDENT VIOLATES THE CONTRACT, HE IS CONFINED TO A STUDY HALL DURING HIS NONCLASS TIME, AND HIS PARENTS ARE INFORMED OF THE VIOLATION. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAM WAS A JOINT EFFORT BY STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND ADMINISTRATORS. SINCE THE INSTITUTION OF THE SELF-DIRECTIVE PROGRAM, LIBRARY USAGE HAS INCREASED, EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY MAINTAINED, AND THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE HALLS HAS IMPROVED. DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR HAS DECREASED AND VANDALISM IS AT A NEW LOW. STUDENT DISCIPLINE REFERRALS HAVE DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY. STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARD RESPONSIBILITY HAVE BECOME MORE POSITIVE WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN DECISIONS....RCB