NCJ Number
45937
Journal
American Education Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1977) Pages: 23-26
Date Published
1977
Length
4 pages
Annotation
A NEW HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM BASED ON POSITIVE, PREVENTIVE APPROACHES TO DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS, VIOLENT CRIME, AND VANDALISM IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE NEW MODEL ME CURRICULUM WAS FUNDED IN ITS DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES BY TITLE III GRANTS, IT PROVIDES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN 29 STATES WITH A FRAMEWORK FOR CLASSROOM DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHY PEOPLE BEHAVE AS THEY DO, HOW TO HANDLE FEELINGS OF FRUSTRATION AND AGGRESSION, AND HOW TO MAKE RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS IN EVERYDAY LIFE. THE ARTICLE EXAMINES THE CURRICULUM'S DEVELOPMENT AND USE IN THE CLASSROOM AND GIVES EXAMPLES OF THE CURRICULUM'S UNIT ACTIVITIES. THE CURRICULUM CAN STAND ALONE AS A SEMESTER COURSE, OR PARTS OF IT CAN BE INTEGRATED INTO EXISTING COURSES IN HEALTH, SOCIAL STUDIES, LANGUAGE ARTS, OR PSYCHOLOGY. IT CAN ALSO BECOME THE BASIS FOR GROUP COUNSELING SESSIONS BECAUSE OF ITS EMPHASIS ON RELATING TO OTHERS AND NOT JUST FULFILLING ONE'S OWN NEEDS. THE NEW MODEL ME PROGRAM CONSISTS OF AN INTRODUCTORY UNIT ON HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND FIVE RELATED UNITS ON SOCIAL CONTROLS, THE REAL SELF, VALUES CLARIFICATION, HUMAN RESPONSES TO SITUATIONS, AND CHANGE IN HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND RELATIONSHIPS. ACTIVITIES WITHIN EACH OF THESE SIX UNITS ARE DESIGNED TO SHOW STUDENTS THAT A PROBLEM CAN BE SOLVED IN MORE THAN ONE WAY. THEY STRESS THAT EVERY ACTION HAS ITS OWN SET OF SHORT- AND LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES WHICH MUST BE THOUGHT OUT BEFORE DECISIONS CAN BE MADE. THE CURRICULUM GREW OUT OF A SEARCH FOR COURSES IN HEALTH AND FAMILY LIVING THAT MIGHT HELP STEM STUDENT PROTESTS, VANDALISM, AND ALCOHOL, DRUG, AND TOBACCO ABUSE. CURRICULUM DEVELOPERS WORKED UP EIGHT GOALS FOR NEW MODEL ME STUDENTS: TO UNDERSTAND THE HUMAN MOTIVATIONS UNDERLYING BEHAVIOR: REALIZE HOW RESOURCES AND PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTS INFLUENCE A PERSON'S BEHAVIOR; STUDY THE NATURE AND SOURCES OF FRUSTRATIONS AND SEEK CONSTRUCTIVE METHODS FOR RESOLVING THEM; DISCERN THAT THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO RESPOND TO A GIVEN SITUATION; DETERMINE HOW CONSTRUCTIVE THEIR OWN BEHAVIOR IS; MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON WHAT EFFECTS VARIOUS COURSES OF ACTION WILL HAVE ON THEMSELVES AND OTHERS; UNDERSTAND THAT AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR CAN BE CONSTRUCTIVE OR DESTRUCTIVE; AND USE WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED ABOUT BEHAVIOR AND PROBLEM-SOLVING IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES. BY HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE THESE GOALS, NEW MODEL ME IS DIRECTING THEM AWAY FROM THOSE AGGRESSIVE ACTS THAT CAN DESTROY PROPERTY AND LIVES. (KBL)