©  2013  SAIS  www.sais.org  

   

the  conversation  continues  inside  of  

SAISconnect  http://saisconnect.sais.org  

 

GLASSER  QUALITY  SCHOOL    A  profile  of  Saint  Patrick  Catholic  School  By:  Sarah  Stewart,  SAIS  Published:  November  2013  Vol.  1    Policy  makers,  educators,  and  leaders  nationwide  are  in  constant  debate  on  how  to  improve  education  and  better  prepare  students  for  the  21st  Century.  Many  are  looking  to  other  countries,  or  new  technologies,  training,  or  pedagogies  for  answers  or  solutions.  However  a  few  are  revisiting  older  models  that  focus  on  human  psychology,  and  the  power  of  choice  and  nurturing  relationships  in  elevating  student  performance.      Saint  Patrick  Catholic  School  (SPCS)  is  one  of  those  schools.  Founded  in  2005  in  Norfolk,  VA,  the  school  enrolls  400  students  Pre-‐K  through  8th  grade.  SPCS  describes  itself  as  authentically  Catholic  and  warmly  ecumenical,  and  like  many  independent  schools,  it  seeks  to  teach  the  “whole  child,”  

developing  them  academically,  emotionally,  socially,  and  spiritually.  The  school  partners  with  two  parishes:  The  Basilica  of  St.  Mary  of  the  Immaculate  Conception,  and  Sacred  Heart  and  Blessed  Sacrament.      Along  with  its  commitment  to  offering  a  Catholic  education,  SPCS  is  a  Certified  Glasser  Quality  School,  one  of  only  20  in  the  world.  Glasser  Quality  Schools  model  their  programs  and  practices  on  the  teachings  of  American  psychologist  Dr.  William  Glasser.  Glasser  is  best  known  for  developing  Choice  Theory®  and  Reality  Therapy  as  a  means  for  

transforming  individuals,  families,  and  schools.  He’s  authored  and  co-‐authored  around  30  books  during  his  lifetime,  including  numerous  books  for  educators  such  as  Schools  Without  Failure  and  The  Quality  School.      SPCS’s  decision  to  become  a  Glasser  Quality  School  was  fueled  by  its  Principal,  Stephen  Hammond.  Hammond  has  worked  in  independent  and  Catholic  schools  since  1978,  and  helped  establish  six  schools  during  this  career.  Early  in  his  career,  he  read  and  was  greatly  impressed  by  Glasser’s  Schools  Without  Failure.  The  book  examines  what  children  need  to  develop  a  positive  identity,  and  how  the  current  system  works  against  that  process  and  their  academic  success.  Glasser  recommended  a  different  approach  based  on  warm  teacher-‐pupil  relationships,  an  emphasis  on  individualized  instruction,  the  absence  of  arbitrary  universal  standards,  and  a  problem-‐solving  approach  to  discipline.                

a  different  approach  based  on  warm  teacher-‐pupil  relationships,  an  emphasis  on  individualized  instruction,  the  absence  of  arbitrary  universal  standards,  and  a  problem-‐solving  approach  to  discipline.    

http://www.wglasser.com/the-glasser-approach/choice-theory

   

©  2013  SAIS  www.sais.org  

   

the  conversation  continues  inside  of  

SAISconnect  http://saisconnect.sais.org  

 

 Hammond  has  incorporated  aspects  of  Glasser’s  theories  into  his  teaching  and  leadership  style  throughout  his  career.  However,  SPCS  is  the  first  school  where  he’s  been  able  to  pursue  full  certification  as  a  Quality  School.  A  Quality  School  is  based  on  the  fundamental  belief  that  coercion  (or  “external  control”)  cannot  facilitate,  and  in  fact  impedes,  real  educational  change  and  personal  growth.  Glasser  claims  all  behavior  is  an  attempt  to  satisfy  five  basic  human  needs:  power,  love  and  belonging,  freedom,  survival,  and  fun.  Students  grow  and  excel  only  when  they  are  in  a  supportive  “needs-‐satisfying”  environment.  Similar  to  Abraham  Maslow’s  hierarchy  of  needs,  if  these  basic  needs  are  not  met,  an  individual  cannot  focus  on  higher  processes,  or  in  a  classroom  setting,  on  learning.        The  process  of  becming  a  Glasser  Quality  School  is  overseen  by  the  William  Glasser  Institute  and  involves  18  months  of  training  for  both  school  administrators  and  faculty  members.  There  are  six  criteria  for  becoming  a  quality  school,  as  well  as  a  detailed  rubric  for  assessing  progress.  Criteria  include  actions  such  as  building  positive  relationships  and  forgoing  coercive  practices;  plus  outcomes  such  as  significant  improvement  in  student  behavior  and  academic  performance.    

                   

Criteria  for  a  Glasser  Quality  School  1. Relationships  are  based  upon  trust  and  respect,  and  all  discipline  problems,  not  

incidents,  have  been  eliminated.  2. Total  Learning  Competency  is  stressed  and  an  evaluation  that  is  below  

competence  or  what  is  now  a  "B"  has  been  eliminated.  All  schooling  as  defined  by  Dr.  William  Glasser  has  been  replaced  by  useful  education.  

3. All  students  do  some  Quality  Work  each  year  that  is  significantly  beyond  competence.  All  such  work  receives  an  "A"  grade  or  higher,  such  as  an  "A+".  

4. Students  and  staff  are  taught  to  use  Choice  Theory  in  their  lives  and  in  their  work  in  school.  Parents  are  encouraged  to  participate  in  study  groups  to  become  familiar  with  the  ideas  of  Dr.  William  Glasser.  

5. Students  do  better  on  state  proficiency  tests  and  college  entrance  examinations.  The  importance  of  these  tests  is  emphasized  in  the  school.  

6. Staff,  students,  parents  and  administrators  view  the  school  as  a  joyful  place.    

Click  here  for  the  full  rubric  

http://www.wglasser.com/images/glasser_forms/qsrubricdriscoll.pdfhttp://www.wglasser.com/images/glasser_forms/qsrubricdriscoll.pdf

   

©  2013  SAIS  www.sais.org  

   

the  conversation  continues  inside  of  

SAISconnect  http://saisconnect.sais.org  

 

Isabel  Anderson,  SPCS  Interim  Middle  School  Director,  is  a  founding  faculty  member.  While  she  has  a  degree  in  education,  she  had  spent  decades  working  as  an  accountant.  As  a  member  of  

Sacred  Heart,  she  became  familiar  with  SPCS  and  was  intrigued  with  its  unique  mission  and  the  Glasser  approach.  She  joined  the  staff  as  a  teacher  in  2005,  and  along  with  other  new  staff,  was  trained  on  Choice  Theory®  and  Reality  Therapy.    SPCS  has  established  a  number  of  programs  to  reinforce  Glasser’s  theories.  Anderson  explains  one  method  called  “success  planning.”  In  this  process,  teachers  help  students  analyze  academic,  behavioral,  or  emotional  issues  by  walking  them  through  questions  such  as:  What  do  you  want?  How  can  you  get  what  you  want?  Is  this  working  for  you?  If  not,  what  can  you  do  differently?  Anderson  says  success  planning  empowers  students,  and  over  time,  encourages  them  to  take  ownership  of  their  decisions  and  make  better  choices.  In  addition  the  school  does  not  impose  typical  rules,  but  reframes  them  as  “rights  and  responsibilities,”  which  the  children  help  develop.  The  process  again  empowers  the  students  by  including  them.  With  grades,  all  

students  are  expected  to  achieve  competency,  (which  SPCS  defines  as  an  80%  or  greater  grade),  and  complete  one  exceptional  “quality”  project  (equivalent  to  an  A+)  each  year.  And  starting  in  kindergarten,  students  keep  a  “journey  portfolio,”  a  collection  of  their  best  work,  which  they  choose.  Upon  graduation,  students  draw  on  their  previous  portfolios  to  write  a  cumulative  essay  about  their  development,  which  they  present  to  teachers,  staff  and  students.    SPCS  also  educates  its  parents  about  the  use  of  Choice  Theory®  and  Reality  Therapy.  Most  parents  choose  SPCS  because  they  like  the  environment  or  are  looking  for  a  Catholic  education,  not  because  it’s  a  Quality  School.  In  the  beginning,  Hammond  admits  many  parents  have  questions  or  misconceptions  about  Glasser’s  theories.  Upon  enrolling,  parents  are  given  an  overview  of  Glasser’s  theories,  and  further  training  is  offered  throughout  the  year  in  workshops.  For  example,  SPCS  recently  welcomed  Dr.  Nancy  S.  Buck,  author  of  Peaceful  Parenting,  and  a  trainer  and  consultant  on  Choice  Theory®  in  schools.  Many  parents,  especially  of  pre-‐adolescent  students,  quickly  see  the  benefits  of  using  Choice  Theory®  and  Reality  Therapy  to  help  their  children  resolve  conflict  and  make  better  choices.  Over  the  years,  Hammond  and  the  SPCS  staff  have  heard  countless  success  stories.        Hammond  says  being  part  of  developing  SPCS  as  a  Quality  School  has  been  immensely  rewarding,  personally  and  professionally.  Hammond  was  in  direct  correspondence  with  Glasser  about  the  school’s  progress,  and  welcomed  him  and  his  wife  at  a  ceremony  celebrating  its  certification  in  2009.  Along  with  leading  SPCS,  Hammond  helps  other  schools  interested  in  becoming  Quality  

   

©  2013  SAIS  www.sais.org  

   

the  conversation  continues  inside  of  

SAISconnect  http://saisconnect.sais.org  

 

Schools.  He  serves  on  the  board  for  the  William  Glasser  Institute,  representing  the  southeast  United  States,  leads  training  sessions  in  the  region,  and  regularly  consults  with  other  independent,  charter,  and  public  schools.    “I  think  a  lot  of  people  –  administrators,  teachers,  and  parents  -‐  are  really  looking  for  authentic  mechanisms  to  promote  a  highly  positive,  warm  school  environment  where  there’s  a  primacy  placed  on  relationship,”  Hammond  said.  “When  that  happens  they  know  that  kids  are  going  to  be  more  confident,  more  successful,  better  teammates,  friends,  students,  and  citizens.”        

     Stephen  J.  Hammond  is  the  Principal  at  Saint  Patrick  Catholic  School  in  Norfolk,  VA.  He  can  be  reached  via  email  at  shammond@stpcs.org.                

         

http://twitter.com/saisnewshttp://twitter.com/?status=Reading+@SAISnews+article%E2%80%9DGlasser+Schools%E2%80%9D+http://tinyurl.com/SAIS-Glasser+%23ChoiceTheoryhttps://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http://tinyurl.com/SAIS-Glasserhttp://www.linkedin.com/cws/share?url=http://tinyurl.com/SAIS-Glasser