Quality School Line

Data folders improve behavior at Wapakoneta Middle School

The last issue of Quality School Line examined the ways that data folders offer opportunities for learning improvement, and suggested what might go into a data folder to take the greatest advantage of these opportunities. But data folder use does not have to be restricted only to academic tasks, as Wapakoneta Middle School teachers in Ohio have found.

Data folders help to develop student responsibility in a variety of ways, and one of these relates to student behavior. Wapakoneta teachers found that by giving students behavior calendars, which they keep in their data folders, discipline improved throughout the school, according to Ray Payne, principal.

A list of expectations, from following directions and rules to completing homework, is kept by each student on his or her calendar. When an infraction takes place, the student marks the period in which it happened and keeps the behavior record in the data folder. In this case, having no marks would represent ideal behavior during the month.

Benefits of the system are many, Payne points out. By maintaining their own calendars, students recognize their behavior patterns for themselves, rather than being reminded by a teacher or other adult. If, for example, a student sees that he or she seems to be late to a fourth-period class on a regular basis, the student and teacher might work together to analyze causes for that pattern-perhaps using a cause-and-effect diagram or other quality tool. Each month, students "start over," without a cumulative record of abuses following them from month to month.

Click here to view pdf of Wapakoneta calendar

The process enhances communication among teachers and with parents as well. Teachers consult with each other about patterns of behavior that they may observe. Parents are aware of the behavior calendars and can see their children's progress. Payne says that student-led parent-teacher conferences are planned for the 2006-'07 school year, and the data folders will represent an important part of those conferences. "Data folders have helped to improve our discipline and have provided a method for our students to articulate their goals and visually acknowledge improvement toward their goals," Payne points out.

Teachers at Wapakoneta Middle School were trained in the use of data folders by Sally Duncan and Soren Gormley prior to the opening of school. These PQ Systems trainer-consultants have returned to the school periodically to monitor the process and provide instruction to teachers.

At Wapakoneta, Ohio, the school website announces the system with "Quality Schools Using Quality Tools." Data folders are just one of the tools that support the district's pursuit of quality.

For more information or to schedule Data Folder training for your school or district, call Marilou today at 800-777-3020 x113.

Got stories?

Many of you have used the Process and Tools to improve classroom processes and support learning. We’re opening Quality School Line to a series of these stories, and invite you to send details of your experiences with the improvement tools. If we use your story, we will send you a copy of Alfie Kohn’s book, Punished by Rewards, a stimulating discussion of the role of external and internal motivation in student learning. All you need to do is describe how you’ve used a particular tool, tell us a little about your school (its location, number of students, and a little about its quality journey), and indicate your position in the school. We can identify you and your school or not, as you prefer. Your colleagues who are looking for concrete ways to apply these tools will thank you! If you have applications of your own that you’d be willing to share with other teachers e-mail them to K12@pqsystems.com

Here's this month's issue of Quality SchoolLine, a newsletter from PQ Systems, Inc. that provides quarterly tips, examples, and suggestions to classroom teachers and administrators. Watch for classroom projects, downloadable templates, and discounted software for your classroom. To view this e-mail online, go to http://www.pqsystems.com/School_Line/2006/02/index.htm
Newsletter Spotlight
How can you: * Improve communication with parents * Motivate students * Increase student responsibility * Improve test scores and student behavior? You can accomplish these and more with the use of Data Folders. Sally Duncan provides an on-site Data Folder course to train teachers and administrators how to create and use data folders effectively. Call Marilou at 800-777-3020 x113 to book Sally's Data Folder Training for your school while May and June dates are still available. For more information, visit Data Folders.
Tip of the Month
Data folders improve behavior at Wapakoneta Middle School The last issue of Quality School Line examined the ways that data folders offer opportunities for learning improvement, and suggested what might go into a data folder to take the greatest advantage of these opportunities. But data folder use does not have to be restricted only to academic tasks, as Wapakoneta Middle School teachers in Ohio have found. Data folders help to develop student responsibility in a variety of ways, and one of these relates to student behavior. Wapakoneta teachers found that by giving students behavior calendars, which they keep in their data folders, discipline improved throughout the school, according to Ray Payne, principal. A list of expectations, from following directions and rules to completing homework, is kept by each student on his or her calendar. When an infraction takes place, the student marks the period in which it happened and keeps the behavior record in the data folder. In this case, having no marks would represent ideal behavior during the month. Benefits of the system are many, Payne points out. By maintaining their own calendars, students recognize their behavior patterns for themselves, rather than being reminded by a teacher or other adult. If, for example, a student sees that he or she seems to be late to a fourth-period class on a regular basis, the student and teacher might work together to analyze causes for that pattern-perhaps using a cause-and-effect diagram or other quality tool. Each month, students "start over," without a cumulative record of abuses following them from month to month. Click here to view pdf of Wapakoneta calendar The process enhances communication among teachers and with parents as well. Teachers consult with each other about patterns of behavior that they may observe. Parents are aware of the behavior calendars and can see their children's progress. Payne says that student-led parent-teacher conferences are planned for the 2006-'07 school year, and the data folders will represent an important part of those conferences. "Data folders have helped to improve our discipline and have provided a method for our students to articulate their goals and visually acknowledge improvement toward their goals," Payne points out. Teachers at Wapakoneta Middle School were trained in the use of data folders by Sally Duncan and Soren Gormley prior to the opening of school. These PQ Systems trainer-consultants have returned to the school periodically to monitor the process and provide instruction to teachers. At Wapakoneta, Ohio, the school website announces the system with "Quality Schools Using Quality Tools." Data folders are just one of the tools that support the district's pursuit of quality. For more information or to schedule Data Folder training for your school or district, call Marilou today at 800-777-3020 x113. Got stories? Many of you have used the Process and Tools to improve classroom processes and support learning. We’re opening Quality School Line to a series of these stories, and invite you to send details of your experiences with the improvement tools. If we use your story, we will send you a copy of Alfie Kohn’s book, Punished by Rewards, a stimulating discussion of the role of external and internal motivation in student learning. All you need to do is describe how you’ve used a particular tool, tell us a little about your school (its location, number of students, and a little about its quality journey), and indicate your position in the school. We can identify you and your school or not, as you prefer. Your colleagues who are looking for concrete ways to apply these tools will thank you! If you have applications of your own that you’d be willing to share with other teachers e-mail them to K12@pqsystems.com Copyright 2006 by PQ Systems, Inc., 10468 Miamisburg-Springboro Rd., Miamisburg, OH 45342 All rights reserved.