The role of rules

Colleagues,

Back in April I wrote about a school struggling to enforce a dress code and I received this reply from Caroline Brown-Williamson, a long-time reader and colleague:

When we were running an alternative program together over an 8 year span, a wise mentor principal told me once, "We legislate our own problems.” During our eight years, we had only one fight, students called us by our first names, and we graduated over 500 youths with a high school diploma who ordinarily would not have graduated. Ninety five percent of the time students dressed appropriately. We focused on student leadership, finding community resources for their individual needs outside the classroom, connecting them with their community … and celebrating their milestones such as a birthday or life event.

Rules are like a backstop, but when we focus too much on them, they become more like the strike zone.

Treat people well, believe in them, and hold high expectations. Most of the time, that’s all you need.

Cheers!

​Frederick