Point to ponder...

Yesterday was a teacher workday. No, let me correct that, some of it was work time but at least half, as usual was "meeting time". We all grumble as we trudge to the cafeteria for the obligatory faculty meeting and then trudge to a classroom for a department meeting. Usually the department meetings at least have the potential to be more interesting because teachers usually feel freer to bitch about whatever is bothering them (for example the faculty meeting :) ) and because the announcements are usually more relevant. However, some of our time had to be dedicated to our "book club" meeting. The new administration required that all teachers read a book about educational leadership and have regular book club meetings about it. I think I am safe in saying that no-one read any more than the one chapter they were assigned to present to the group. And at each meeting there was no mistaking the "sorry, guys, they are making me do it" look on the presenting teacher's face.But I will say that one thing came out of yesterday's book discussion that I think is worth pondering.
The presenters posed the question "if you could do anything you wanted to motivate achievement in students, what would it be?" No money or rule restrictions, just an open brainstorming session. One idea that had been floated before was raised again. Meredith re-iterated the idea that if responsibility = privileges then if the school allowed increased privileges when a student showed responsibility and the student would lose those privileges with a lack of responsibility that we might be able to increase performance and reduce behavioral concerns.
Interesting concept. So let's say a student has no behavioral record for conduct or unexcused absences would be allowed to leave the campus for lunch. Wow! We already have a program in place for allowing seniors to exempt final exams if their grade is high enough and they have a reduced number of absences. Or possibly study hall for students with a grade below 75, free time in the computer lab or even outdoors for those whose grades are B's or above. Parking spaces are already tied to performance. I think there is a real possibility to motivate the vast number of students here. Of course, there are those who will not be moved no matter what carrot you put in front of them, but we may at least make that number smaller. Worth thinking about.