Ripple Effects Can Help with Disproportionate Discipline

There is neither a single cause, nor a single, simple solution to the problem of disproportionate discipline rates for African American, Native American and Special Education students.  Ripple Effects training software enables schools to address the issue on multiple levels–without blame or shame.

• For ~30% of the problem that can be attributed to student behaviorwe can help with student training targeted to particular problems (vandalism bullying, fighting. defiance etc.)
• For ~30% that is connected with teacher behavior and expectations, we can help with teacher training and embedded coaching
• For ~30% that may be related to structural issues (i.e., discipline code, institutionalized racism, leadership), our staff training program can provide support in developing safe, supportive school climate.
• For the <10% of behavior problems that are due to chemical imbalance or deep characterilogical disturbances, our programs will NOT likely have an impact

Here’s an example of how

Defiant behavior (insubordination) accounts for a very large number of discipline referrals.  Although defiant behavior may be the same for many students, reasons for this behavior can vary widely:

Students may be:

1. Transferring anger from abuse at home to a safer authority figure
2. Diverting attention from learning difficulties
3. Seeking peer acceptance by acting out
4. Responding to a personality conflict with a teacher
5. Rebelling against (perceived) racial discrimination
6. Acting out of ignorance of more appropriate behavior

Teachers may be:

1. Making a reasonable requirement for respectful behavior
2. Making unreasonable requirements for submissive behavior
3. Unconsciously disrespecting a student or students
4. Unassertive (passive or aggressive) about expectations
5. Acting on race-based expectations
6. Uninformed about learning differences and special needs

In all of these instances, a 4-step intervention with Ripple Effects training software can be effective in changing behavior:

For students

1. Start with a strength – “learning style” or “strengths” tutorials
2. Complete tutorial for the offense (defiance, disruptive etc.)
3. Direct student to privately explore their underlying reason for the behavior in any domain (individual, peer, school, family, community)
4. Have student choose a final tutorial to build a strength, and learn alternative behaviors that will work for positive change

For adults

1. Start with a strength –”learning style” or “strengths” tutorials
2. Complete the tutorial on getting  respect
3. Complete the tutorial on managing diverse learners
4. End with a strength building tutorial in assertiveness, empathy, or connecting with students.

For institutions

Use Ripple Effects school safety profiler to assess perceptions of systemic unfairness.

Customize a scope and sequence of specific tutorials to promote safe, respectful behavior school wide.

For more information contact Lew Brentano, VP of Educational Alliances.