Many students, rather than acting out aggressively, won't attend school, participate, or ask for help. Students learn that they are in charge of their learning and success and must be actively involved. They are taught positive and constructive ways to express anger. Students are taught study skills, strategies for preparing for and taking tests, strategies for completing homework, and organization skills. Not all students automatically know the meaning or the importance of such qualities as integrity, initiative, flexibility, perseverance, a sense of humor, common sense, and patience.
Students evaluate themselves and then set goals for behavior, attendance, and grades.
Mind set for achievement. The first group of students remained in PTA for seventh and eighth grades. During those two years, their behavioral referrals decreased by 85 percent and grade-point averages increased by 1.19 points. Parents of the PTA students grew to trust the administration, and would call me with any questions about school. No longer afraid or embarrassed to pick up a report card in person, many began to attend parent-teacher conferences for the first time.