1. Engaging challenging Students
Lessons learned in alternative settings and a student’s point of view-
Sean Hollas, Principal Demonte, Student

2. Goddard Alternative Program Overviews
Goddard Academy
Formerly GAP
History
Current overview
Students Staffing
students
6.5 teachers
4 paras
1 library clerk
Typical student
Scheduling
Self-paced
Edgenuity
Lakeside Academy
History
Dual structures
Lakeside staff
Students & School staff
18 students
4.5 teachers
1 para
Student population

3. Typical students Goddard Academy Lakeside Academy Behind in credits
Anxiety issues
Poor attitude towards school and learning
“Strikers”
Attendance issues
18/95 have IEPs
Not much diversity
Lakeside Academy
Students in DCF custody
Don’t know background
More middle schoolers
Many low in math & reading
Very immature
Attendance issues
Camp issues

4. Norms
The expected behavior of a group or what most people do- “Around here we….”
Norms are being acted out right now. What are they?
Formal Norms
Rules, policies
Informal norms
What I really happening
Group norms-
Can be positive or negative
Behavior of a group
Individual behavior is not a norm

5. Initial student norms about schooling
Goddard Academy
Lakeside Academy
School/education may not be valued
Mistake relaxed atmosphere for a ‘no rules’ atmosphere
Attendance/tardies are issues
Self paced classes lead to procrastination
School/education is not valued
This isn’t a real school
Skipping school
Adults can’t be trusted
Status among peers is very important
No parental involvement

6. Norms Crisis Norms Crisis Examples; First day of school
Occurs when a person enters a new group and the expected behaviors are not known.
Examples;
First day of school
First day on a job
Students first day on campus
What happens when a norm exists but the expected behavior is not met because it is not known. This situation is called a Norms Crisis

7. Norms Crisis Students and employees: will rely on the norms they know.
will watch each other’s response to determine the norms.
will demonstrate anxiety if the norms are not clear or not modeled.
The informal norms are the real norms. The informal must become the formal.
Frustration will occur because uncertainty exists.

8. How do you change a Norm? Formal expectations from Authority.
Effective supervision and support of the Norm.
Clear understanding of the norm(s).
When you do not confront a negative norm you promote it.
The development and support of a Positive Peer Culture or Group.
Professional Courage. “Doing what is right no matter how difficult”.

9. Making a Change Administrative actions Confront negative behavior
Failure to confront reinforces negative behavior
Recognition and Reward System
Reward desirable behavior
Avoid creating disingenuous rewards
It is important to not reward expected behavior, i.e. cleaning ones room: when this is done we create a token society.

10. What works for us Relationships Patience Flexibility
“Kids don’t care what you know until they know that you care”
Unconditional treatment
Short memories
Positive attitudes every day
Patience
Flexibility
Relaxed atmosphere
Clear rules
Reward systems
TGIF
Daily points
Food rewards
Recognition
Graduation ceremonies

12. Questions & Answers with Sean & Demonte

13. Leader Big Crowd Small Crowd
- Carries themselves with an assertive confidence indicated through their physical and intellectual abilities
Sometimes Silent
When they talk, everyone listens
Models the normative behavior for the group
Communicates in a sophisticated manner
Big Crowd
Small Crowd

14. Lieutenant Big Crowd Small Crowd Strong Arm Leaders Right Hand Person
Usually Verbal & Very Supportive of the Leader
Often Does The Leaders Dirty Work
Big Crowd
Small Crowd

15. Con Artist Big Crowd Small Crowd
Communication Link Between Staff & Big Crowd
Always Getting Over, Making Deals
Has the Protection of the Power
Acts According to the Group They Are In
Often Establishes a Strong Communication Link With Staff
Small Crowd

16. Big Crowd Small Crowd Gopher A Person Who is a “Go For”
Will Give Up Their Seat, Etc., in Exchange For Being Left Alone
Big Crowd
Small Crowd
Gopher

17. Big Crowd Small Crowd Dyad
Sub Group of 2 Persons Who Support and Protect Each Other
When Not Together They Are Usually Loners
Dyad

18. Big Crowd Small Crowd Scape Goat Weakest Member of the Group
Most Everyone Picks on Them
Group Pushes Most Problems on Scape Goat
Scape Goat

19. Big Crowd Small Crowd Loner
Keeps to Themselves as a Defense Against Attack From the Group

20. Big Crowd Isolate Small Crowd Most New Students
For Many This is Temporary Due to Their Physical Strength, Intelligence & Maturity
Weak Isolate Move Into Small Crowd, Strong Isolates Move Into Big Crowd
Big Crowd
Isolate
Small Crowd

21. Leader
Lieutenant
Con Artist
Big Crowd
Isolate
Small Crowd
Gopher
Loner
Dyad
Scape Goat