Selective Behavioral Education

As I read and hear media reports about sex and violence in our school systems, I usually see a follow up report on how our parents are failing in their responsibilities to properly train their children. The assumption is made that along with the responsibility of having a child, the necessary skills should be in existence too.

Public school systems take on responsibilities of training students to drive a car and how to have sex, but when it comes to weapons, drugs and alcohol, it is hands off. Even an object that is not normally considered a weapon suddenly becomes one if there is implied intent with it, such as chicken wings and fingers with the word "pow".

Behavior crosses all areas of education. Behavior is needed to demonstrate what goes on in the brain. Try demonstrating anything without a behavior. If you ever watch someone run a computer with "eye control" or similar "switch", you may gain an understanding of how much we take behavior for granted. I have witnessed many people who have mental capabilities no one would know without an unusual method that replaces the behavior of writing or speaking. Yet, usually because of the advocacy of their parent(s), they have technology to behave in a manner that appropriately demonstrates their knowledge.

The educational system is full of behavioral plans. We see them everyday. We see them in science labs, literary classes, math classes, art classes, extra curricular programs, drivers ed classes, wellness programs and sports, to name a few. Behavioral plans are everywhere.

Our education system puts a lot of money into every one of these behavior plans. The school systems are judged in how well these behaviors are performed. We take for granted that the behaviors taught in the classroom are performed in high stakes testing. Until it comes to special ed students. Or parenting.

I frequently question how and why our public school systems take on some behavioral responsibilities. But they not only do it, they actively seek these responsibilities with the belief that it is for the common good.

If it has been determined that inadequate parenting skills are the root of low performing schools, then it would seem appropriate that the public school system take on the responsibility of training all students to be behave as responsible parents.


What Are the School's Obligations to a Child with Severe Emotional & Behavior Problems?
by Pete Wright, Esq.


Good Diagnostics Before Solutions

Coming up with the correct solution may require additional testing to narrow down, diagnose, and set up a treatment plan. It is hard work, but this is what it takes to change a child, not just pass the child on to someone else so he becomes their problem.


"Shift to the medical model: Assume that you are a medical doctor. You are treating a patient for a cold. Several weeks have passed but your patient's cold hasn't gotten better. Instead, the patient continues to complain, is listless, the cough has worsened. Now, the patient is wheezing. Do you continue with the same treatment? Do you prescribe more cough medicine? Do you do a more thorough diagnostic workup? Do you think the patient coughing willfully? Do you decide that the patient is "choosing" to cough? Do you blame the patient when the situation spirals out of control?"

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In this presentation, a cartoon character practices waiting for the bus. To be good at it.


The Old Way and the New Way