Common Threads

Investigating and Solving School Discipline

By (author) Anthony P. Barber, Jeffrey Ulmer Associate Professor of Sociology and Crime, Law, and Justice, Penn State Un

Publication date:

29 October 2013

Length of book:

126 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

Dimensions:

240x159mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781475805574

School safety is paramount in today’s educational system. Now, more than ever, the need to be proactive and systematic when it comes to handling even the most minor infractions in schools must be required, as demonstrated by the tragic events of recent school violence.

An administrator’s work revolves around investigating. Whether it involves issues with parents or students, disciplinary incidents or teacher situations, being able to investigate in a non-biased and systematic manner is paramount for success. Yet, despite this premise, guidance for new and experienced administrators concerning how to investigate an incident is limited at best.

Common Threads is a straightforward, practical guide for administrators in the job or professors to use as a guide for principal preparatory training.

Disclaimer
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part I - Theoretical Connections

Discipline and Culture in Schools
What is the Right Behavior?
Who Decides What Right is?
The Purpose of the Code
Summation of Culture and Philosophy
The Common Threads Model

Part II - Real-World Connections

Pressures on Families
The Ramifications of IDEA
An Informed Populace
Issues of Culture and Race
Focus on Safe Schools
Synopsis of Key Connections

Part III - Practical Application
Setting the Stage
The Step by Step Process

Tap Your Resources
Handle Incident Reports
Review with an Interview
Examine the Chart
Address the Consequences
Decide on Future Planning

What If Scenarios

What If There Are No Witnesses?
What If Witnesses Are Using Past Incidents?
What If an Adult (Who Did Not See the Event) Is Making the Accusation?
What If You Believe There is a Witch Hunt?
What If the Incident Occurred Three Weeks Ago?
What If I Get a Confession?
What If Someone Threatens to Go to Your Boss?

Conversations with Parents and Guardians
Helpful Tips in Handling Frequent Scenarios
Limitations to Common Threads
Benefits to Common Threads
Summation
Part IV – Case Studies

Mutually Combative
Confidential Matters
Timing
Just the Facts
The Confession
“Are you calling my kid a liar?”
“I am going to your boss.”
The Double Whack
Teacher Investigation
Bus Video
Threat
The Authority
The Possible Fight

Scenario 1
Scenario 2
Bibliography

This book acts as a guide for school administrators who want to be more proactive and systematic in handling even the most minor disciplinary infractions in schools. Authors Anthony Barber and Jeffrey Ulmer explain how administrators can be unbiased and practical when investigating disciplinary incidents, teacher misconduct, or conflicts with parents. Common Threads also includes practice disciplinary scenarios and sample incident reports.