Worksheet 6: Selecting the best public policy solution

Date: January 19, 2005 Group Members: PS 197M Discipline Committee

Your problem (phrase):

Children disrespecting adults and each other

List the three public policy alternatives from Worksheet5. Create a short word or abbreviation to summarize each policy and write it at the end of each policy (see example).

1. We would develop/set up a ‘Good News’ class meeting for 15 minutes at the beginning of the day, before lunch or before dismissal.

2. Organize a student government for student leadership with input from students providing students with opportunities for peer counseling, problem-solving, and conflict resolution

3. Have the students create behavior posters and banners to post throughout the school at the beginning of the school year.

Use the format in the example to complete the matrix below:

EFFECTIVENESS	FEASIBILITY
		HIGH	MEDIUM	LOW
	HIGH	Good News Class Meetings	Student organization
	MEDIUM
	LOW	Posters & Banners

Discuss the reasons for your decisions in the matrix.

Setting up ‘Good News’ class meetings is a very effective policy because students are very eager to share something good that they’ve experienced. This sharing brings about good feelings within each student. Students feel better about themselves raising their self-esteem. This in turn will help students show respect toward others. ‘Good News’ is highly feasible because teachers can determine the best time of day to have such a meeting and can make it a routine.

Discuss why your group prefers one alternative over the other two alternatives.

We believe ‘Good News’ class meetings is a simple idea that will reinforce positive experiences and positive behaviors. Organizing a student government can be very effective but is more complicated in terms of the amount of time it would require to implement. Behavior posters & banners, although highly feasible, are not as effective.

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