Road Trip #7 -… Strike Outs

More on this third ingredient for a home run (or strike out)…

For decades, we have observed that Hyde students tend to operate within the parameters of five stages of growth:

1.  Off-Track – Unwilling or unable to meet basic expectations, requiring a high level of supervision.

2. Motions – The motions of responsible behavior.  Tends to be teacher-directed and seemingly motivated primarily by a desire to stay out of trouble.

3.  Effort  – The beginnings of initiative, responsibility, accountability, and a productive work ethic with occasional lapses into Motions.

4. Consistency – Effort on a dependable and consistent basis.

5. Excellence – This student sets a high standard for self and others.

We have recently established a procedure whereby students periodically assess their own progress regarding these five stages and receive feedback from faculty and peers.  This leads to student placement in one of three phases.

1. Preparatory – Reflects a mixture of Off-Track and Motions attitudes and behaviors.

2. Transition – Firmly engaged in Effort level attitudes and behavior.

3. Leadership – Proven Consistency & the beginnings of a commitment to personal Excellence.  (e.g., The Hyde Diploma standard reads “This individual is ready to conduct his or her life according to standards of personal excellence.”)

If you seek a more thorough explanation on the five stages and three phases, you might read my 4-part series on this topic posted in mid-September, 2014.  However, let’s return now to the third reason why kids strike out at Hyde.

While a majority of our students begin their Hyde experiences in the Preparatory Phase, those who depart still in that phase will likely need some other program for a fresh start.  Furthermore, they will tend to hold mixed or even bitter feelings about their Hyde experience.  History has shown that individuals who persist with enthusiasm, ascend through the aforementioned stages, and graduate tend to feel good about both themselves and their school.  Those who depart either after a short spell or while still in the Preparatory Phase might not feel as positive.  Of course, there are exceptions on both sides of the equation.  However, commitment to personal best will tend to trump length of time spent at Hyde.

History has also shown something else to be true: Whether you are determined to make it work or determined to prove it doesn’t, you’ll probably be right.

Onward,  Malcolm Gauld