Let my people go

To some, a sure sign that a discipline policy is working is to examine how many more kids are getting busted. This is the mind set of many zero-tolerance advocates who understand little of behaviorist theory or even the basic tenets of operant conditioning...we are not sure they even get the Pavlov's dog thing but they sure salivate at the opportunity to suspend students. Witness the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) zero-tolerance policy for cell phones, tardiness or writing on a desk. Could get you suspended or, in the desk debacle, arrested and sent to the police station. No wonder CPS spends 15 times the amount on security guards compared to career and college counselors. Are these guards on an incentive program...more busts = more pay (what would BF Skinner say...just a pop quiz). If a disciplinary policy results in a steady increase in infractions...it is ineffective. Can you spell extinction of behavior?

STORY: Chicago Students Demand Disciplinary Policy Revisions

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQnyWGckmblVIc8s4K0bVJZXNAkLpUdUXG5jiZiviZfL2JbBRURpA" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQnyWGckmblVIc8s4K0bVJZXNAkLpUdUXG5jiZiviZfL2JbBRURpA" width="283" /></a></div> <br /> To some, a sure sign that a discipline policy is working is to examine how many more kids are getting busted. This is the mind set of many zero-tolerance advocates who understand little of behaviorist theory or even the basic tenets of operant conditioning...we are not sure they even get the Pavlov's dog thing but they sure salivate at the opportunity to suspend students. Witness the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) zero-tolerance policy for cell phones, tardiness or writing on a desk. Could get you suspended or, in the desk debacle, arrested and sent to the police station. No wonder CPS spends 15 times the amount on security guards compared to career and college counselors. Are these guards on an incentive program...more busts = more pay (what would BF Skinner say...just a pop quiz). If a disciplinary policy results in a steady increase in infractions...it is ineffective. Can you spell extinction of behavior?<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/15/chicago-students-demand-d_n_899780.html#s309349">Chicago Students Demand Disciplinary Policy Revisions</a>

Play/protest for pay in the windy city

Recent demonstrations supporting the closure of "under-performing" schools have drawn scrutiny from the teacher's union membership and others. The Rev. Roosevelt Watkins III, leader of Englewood's HOPE organization advocates these closing and has allegedly paid folks a "training stipend"  of $25 to hop on the bus and get out there and support shuttin' em' down. We don't recall any such tactics from Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals, nor do we remember cashing in on Civil Rights and Vietnam War protests during our college years. Perhaps the good reverend is trying to stimulate the economy in Chicago. Some protesters didn't have any idea as to why they were there or what they were protesting!

STORY: Paid To Protest? Chicago Schools Watchdog Investigating After Needy Residents Paid To Support Closures

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlR-Ro7K3_or82fNZkI3gvqiOu4UtKhbJTbZDK1okQrzXxmClv6A" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRlR-Ro7K3_or82fNZkI3gvqiOu4UtKhbJTbZDK1okQrzXxmClv6A" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> Recent demonstrations supporting the closure of "under-performing" schools have drawn scrutiny from the teacher's union membership and others. The Rev. Roosevelt Watkins III, leader of Englewood's HOPE organization advocates these closing and has allegedly paid folks a "training stipend"  of $25 to hop on the bus and get out there and support shuttin' em' down. We don't recall any such tactics from Saul Alinsky's <i><b>Rules for Radicals</b></i>, nor do we remember cashing in on Civil Rights and Vietnam War protests during our college years. Perhaps the good reverend is trying to stimulate the economy in Chicago. Some protesters didn't have any idea as to why they were there or what they were protesting!<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/26/paid-to-protest-chicago-s_n_1233571.html?ref=education&ir=Education">Paid To Protest? Chicago Schools Watchdog Investigating After Needy Residents Paid To Support Closures</a>

Let's undo lunch!

3200 Chicago Public School cafeteria workers staged a protest aimed to question the school district's menu choices. Described as "bland, frozen," and largely ignored by most principals and students (there's a revelation), one worker asked the telling question: " How can we make real food if you take away real kitchens?" ANSWER...schedule a field trip to your local McDonald's. Bon appetite!

STORY: Lunch Ladies Protest Chicago Public Schools Food, Release Report Detailing Deficiencies

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/v3/07-13-2010.NMC_13floydMAIN1.G8A2RKN7F.1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/v3/07-13-2010.NMC_13floydMAIN1.G8A2RKN7F.1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br /> 3200 Chicago Public School cafeteria workers staged a protest aimed to question the school district's menu choices. Described as "bland, frozen," and largely ignored by most principals and students (there's a revelation), one worker asked the telling question: " How can we make real food if you take away real kitchens?" ANSWER...schedule a field trip to your local McDonald's. Bon appetite!<br /> <br /> STORY: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/25/lunch-ladies-protest-chic_n_1232033.html">Lunch Ladies Protest Chicago Public Schools Food, Release Report Detailing Deficiencies</a>