According to CDP philosophy, the teacher doesn't dictate solutions, but asks questions that help children find solutions themselves. Early in the school year, Pearcy led the children in a discussion that created the list. The CDP is also different from many schools' conflict-resolution programs, which try to teach students new patterns of behavior without changing the overall way the school operates. If you drop your pencil, that's 10 minutes after school. But every kid has a different reason for dropping a pencil.
Dames also emphasizes the importance of teaching in improving behavior.
We're all building on past experience. They haven't had my experiences. Dames tells the story of one of her students who was falling far behind in a major year-end project. My old reaction would have been scolding him, sending home a note, and expecting him to change. She waited, sometimes asking additional questions, for 20 minutes before the student came up with some ideas.