Now that’s an interesting question. The Toolbox is an all day training program focused on serving disruptive and/or violent students in compliance with our special education laws.  There are ten tools in the Toolbox, but as I mention every time I do the Toolbox, that number is arbitrary. We probably could have expanded it to 13 or shrunk it to seven. It’s kind of dependent on how you describe things.

So what would be Tool #11?

Hmmmm.

I think I would call it The Good Common Sense Factor.  Don’t overreact to student misconduct. Keep the big picture in mind. That may sound vague. It is. But it’s also essential.

I can remember getting a phone call 25 years ago from a superintendent who wondered what to do with the kid with the tattoo.  I don’t remember what advice I gave, but if I had thought real fast, I could have said: “Don’t do anything. Just wait 25 years and that kid will be an assistant principal in your district.”

I’ve got Toolbox Workshops coming up on October 12 (Region 15); November 6 (Region 7); November 10 (Region 6); March 23 (Region 6) and April 10 (Region 7).  If you are interested in getting on the list, let me hear from you.

DAWG BONE: IT’S A GOOD QUESTION, BUT I’M STICKING WITH TEN.  JUST LIKE THE BIG 12.

Tomorrow: New Guidance from DOE on sexual misconduct.