In his book The Quality School, William Glasser presents many realistic and unrealistic goals for public schools.

Throughout chapter four Glasser talks about how some students will learn simply because they care for their instructor teaching that specific subject. It was also interesting to read that very few students had their needs satisfied because they wanted to work with their friends and were seldom allowed to do so. According to Glasser it would be ideal if cooperative learning was the norm. I will agree that this is a productive way to learn for some students but many students may prefer a less distracting approach.

It is stated in chapter seven that no quality school would accept low quality work. It also says that students do not want to evaluate their own work for fear that it would lead to more work. They think an honest assessment would show that they had only done enough to get by and their work was inadequate. The book gave no solution to this problem which often begins in the primary grade levels. The book merely states that in order for the assignment to be considered quality the student and teacher have to be satisfied.

I admit that I had strong negative emotions while reading chapter ten. I totally disagree with Glasser's idea of making a joke or putting yourself down instead of adressing the student being a behavior problem. Does this mean that each time a student is disruptive I criticize myself so that I don't threaten the emotions of the child causing the disruption? Is this what is being done in quality schools? If the answer is yes I'd be willing to send them all of my EBD, EMH. SEH, ADHD and EMR students. Now that's an appealing thought.

-- Anonymous, January 12, 1999

Answers

My Response to Tony Saragos Glasser Quality School Summary:

Hello Tony! It s interesting to see how you picked out some similar as well as many different main ideas from this book. Id just like to comment on a few of the points which you mentioned.

As far as cooperative learning...Overall, I agree with the concept of cooperative learning. I believe that there are many great benefits. Many students that normally would not tend to speak out in a normal run class may do so in a smaller group of peers. I also believe that cooperative learning methods closely reflect those of the world outside our school walls. I believe that it helps the students build these very important needed skills.

In response to your comments on student evaluation and their fear of more work...In my opinion, the very fact that students may be afraid to self evaluate for fear of more added work may suggest the whole core of the problem. What is the reason that students are afraid of more added work? Could it be because we (our schools) put way too much emphasis on quantity of work other than the quality of work? You had mentioned that primary grades are crucial and I agree. We need to start this thought process at the youngest age possible.

On the concept of putting yourself down to save the student...Id have to say that I would agree with your overall thought on this. However, I wonder if Glasser was simply trying to explain a diversion tactic that could help to snuff out a potential worse situation? Im riding the fence on this one as well.

Thanks Tony for allowing me to respond!

-- Anonymous, January 18, 1999