Hidden RulesHidden RulesHints for TutorsA review by Linda Evans,Based on the works of Ruby Payne, PhD

Hints for TutorsA review by Linda Evans,Based on the works of Ruby Payne, PhD

Notes & infoNotes & info This is just an overview of some of Ruby

Payne’s works Dr. Payne also does workshops for school

districts around the country For more information, please check out:“A Framework for Understanding Poverty,”

and “Hidden Rules of Class at Work,” or on the web: http://www.ahaprocess.com/

Please don’t switch your brain off when you hear the term ‘poverty’…it doesn’t just mean economic standing… it’s much more

This is just an overview of some of Ruby Payne’s works

Dr. Payne also does workshops for school districts around the country

For more information, please check out:“A Framework for Understanding Poverty,”

and “Hidden Rules of Class at Work,” or on the web: http://www.ahaprocess.com/

Please don’t switch your brain off when you hear the term ‘poverty’…it doesn’t just mean economic standing… it’s much more

Adding to your tool kitAdding to your tool kit You’ve learned about different learning

styles and how they impact teaching… You’ve learned about technology and

how it can assist, or detract, from learning/work…

You may know about personality types from Meyers-Briggs or True Colors, how personality affects relationships, and how we see our world…

NOW, add another tool to your professional toolkit, and see how our cultural values act as lenses and limiters, creating hidden rules of behavior, and more…

You’ve learned about different learning styles and how they impact teaching…

You’ve learned about technology and how it can assist, or detract, from learning/work…

You may know about personality types from Meyers-Briggs or True Colors, how personality affects relationships, and how we see our world…

NOW, add another tool to your professional toolkit, and see how our cultural values act as lenses and limiters, creating hidden rules of behavior, and more…

It’s like we’re not speaking the same language…

It’s like we’re not speaking the same language…

Area Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

Money Use now Manage Invest

Personality For Entertaining For Stability For Connections

Food Enough Quantity Quality, Taste Presentation

Clothing Style Expression Quality, Norm Designer

Time Present Moment Future Historical

Education Abstract Value Critical to Success Tradition, Connections

Language Casual Register Formal Register Formal Register

World View Local National Global

Love Conditional/Likes Conditional/Worth Conditional/Standing

Focus Survival Achievement Strategic Connections

Possessions People Things Legacy

Family Matriarchal Patriarchal Who's Got $

So what do we do with this?

So what do we do with this?

Most educational institutions & employers are of the culture/values of Group 2

There are increasing numbers of Group 1 coming into those venues without knowledge that there are differences in culture/values

Our job as educators is not to say “Your values are wrong, mine are right,” rather it is to say: “There are different rules for different places – yours are important for your daily world – but let me help you become familiar with these rules too.”

Most educational institutions & employers are of the culture/values of Group 2

There are increasing numbers of Group 1 coming into those venues without knowledge that there are differences in culture/values

Our job as educators is not to say “Your values are wrong, mine are right,” rather it is to say: “There are different rules for different places – yours are important for your daily world – but let me help you become familiar with these rules too.”

Shouldn’t everyone just conform to my rules?

Shouldn’t everyone just conform to my rules?

Discounting the use of another set of rules says: “Your culture is irrelevant and wrong”

Unconsciously insulting someone’s cultural values and coping methods is unprofessional – try instead to be curious, learn about their values & share yours

As an educational institution, we owe it to all of our students to provide the tools to be successful in life; providing education on hidden rules can ease their path to success

This is a two-way street, both people win

Discounting the use of another set of rules says: “Your culture is irrelevant and wrong”

Unconsciously insulting someone’s cultural values and coping methods is unprofessional – try instead to be curious, learn about their values & share yours

As an educational institution, we owe it to all of our students to provide the tools to be successful in life; providing education on hidden rules can ease their path to success

This is a two-way street, both people win

More on Levels of Language

More on Levels of Language

Issue Casual Register Consultative Formal Register

Poor assignment turned in to instructor

“This is a do-over.”

“I can’t accept this the way it is, please revise.”

“This assignment is not acceptable in its current form.”

Student doesn’t understand assignment

“I’m sick & can’t turn in my homework.” (doesn’t know how to ask for help)

“I’m not sure exactly what you want on this paper, can you help me?”

“I’d like to make an appointment with you to discuss assignment 3 before it is due.”

• What level of language is used in most college syllabi, tests, & texts?• What language level is required for college essays?• What level of language is used for the college catalog or policies?• Can you think of examples of how to help students translate from casual register into formal?• How can you encourage students to build their vocabulary?• Don’t assume students are familiar with parts of texts (glossary, index, test Q)

Hidden Rules in EducationHidden Rules in Education

Students must understand the formal language of education and critical thinking.

Students need to put school first.Work should be arranged around

classes.Students are responsible for learning.Time management and planning are

necessary.

Students must understand the formal language of education and critical thinking.

Students need to put school first.Work should be arranged around

classes.Students are responsible for learning.Time management and planning are

necessary.

Impact on teaching/learning

Impact on teaching/learning

Lack of formal register/academic language causes students to (1) fail to ask questions in class, (2) procrastinate on written assignments, (3) commit plagiarism, often without knowing what it is, or (4) cheat, out of desperation

School work tends to come last in priorities: suggest planning ahead, turn things in early

Critical or abstract thought are often not learned previously, need help making that leap

May avoid taking responsibility (blame others) or have lots of personal problems that interfere with learning & assignments

Lack of formal register/academic language causes students to (1) fail to ask questions in class, (2) procrastinate on written assignments, (3) commit plagiarism, often without knowing what it is, or (4) cheat, out of desperation

School work tends to come last in priorities: suggest planning ahead, turn things in early

Critical or abstract thought are often not learned previously, need help making that leap

May avoid taking responsibility (blame others) or have lots of personal problems that interfere with learning & assignments

What can I do?What can I do?

Help Group 1 learn the Hidden Rules of school:Clarify the need to put school first in order to make

things better for their family (rather than for “personal achievement”)

Clarify the need to arrange work around their class times, network with other students to get notes if they are out sick, & contact instructors appropriately

Instructors are not responsible for learning, the students are; help tutees know learning styles/limits

Importance of deadlines, planning the semester in advance, use of calendar & alarm clock

Having plan B (ex. preventive car maintenance) Refer to Master Student class; or teach planning,

goal setting, basic money mgmt skills

Help Group 1 learn the Hidden Rules of school:Clarify the need to put school first in order to make

things better for their family (rather than for “personal achievement”)

Clarify the need to arrange work around their class times, network with other students to get notes if they are out sick, & contact instructors appropriately

Instructors are not responsible for learning, the students are; help tutees know learning styles/limits

Importance of deadlines, planning the semester in advance, use of calendar & alarm clock

Having plan B (ex. preventive car maintenance) Refer to Master Student class; or teach planning,

goal setting, basic money mgmt skills

Suggestions for tutorsSuggestions for tutors Follow positive tutoring model:

Sit beside, not across from, tuteeBuild on the positiveAsk specific questionsGive tips on how this concept would be

shown on a test, or how they could display mastery

Model asking for help yourself when you don’t know the answer or process

Model appropriate language use & share ways you have improved your own vocabulary

Help students build their own study skills, tools, peer support systems

Follow positive tutoring model: Sit beside, not across from, tuteeBuild on the positiveAsk specific questionsGive tips on how this concept would be

shown on a test, or how they could display mastery

Model asking for help yourself when you don’t know the answer or process

Model appropriate language use & share ways you have improved your own vocabulary

Help students build their own study skills, tools, peer support systems

More suggestionsMore suggestions

Need extra-clear instructions with very clear deadlines – remind about using a planner and asking the instructor for clarification

Break down big assignments into small parts with interim deadlines, ask for rough drafts

Give tours of resources or refer often to library, advising, financial aid, counseling

Refer often to the syllabus, assignment lists Refer to course or lecture outlines, study

guides Use multiple learning styles, encourage

students with awards, positive reinforcement

Need extra-clear instructions with very clear deadlines – remind about using a planner and asking the instructor for clarification

Break down big assignments into small parts with interim deadlines, ask for rough drafts

Give tours of resources or refer often to library, advising, financial aid, counseling

Refer often to the syllabus, assignment lists Refer to course or lecture outlines, study

guides Use multiple learning styles, encourage

students with awards, positive reinforcement

Parting thoughts…Parting thoughts…

The Hidden Rules of different environments offer challenges and opportunities to increase understanding

Our different cultural values are not ‘excuses’ for inappropriate behavior, but they may provide explanations for ‘why’

Accountability first requires explanation of requirements and rules – don’t assume everyone knows your ‘rules’

Mutual respect should be the foundation of all relationships; it takes effort to build it

The Hidden Rules of different environments offer challenges and opportunities to increase understanding

Our different cultural values are not ‘excuses’ for inappropriate behavior, but they may provide explanations for ‘why’

Accountability first requires explanation of requirements and rules – don’t assume everyone knows your ‘rules’

Mutual respect should be the foundation of all relationships; it takes effort to build it

ReferencesReferences

Payne, R. K. (1996). A framework for understanding poverty (3rd ed.). Highlands, TX: Aha! Process

Payne, R. K. (2008, April). Nine powerful practices. Educational Leadership, 65(7), 48-52.

Payne, R. K., & Krabill, D. L. (2002). Hidden rules of class at work. Highlands, TX: Aha! Process

Payne, R. K. (1996). A framework for understanding poverty (3rd ed.). Highlands, TX: Aha! Process

Payne, R. K. (2008, April). Nine powerful practices. Educational Leadership, 65(7), 48-52.

Payne, R. K., & Krabill, D. L. (2002). Hidden rules of class at work. Highlands, TX: Aha! Process