No Zero Zone

The No Zero Zone. What gets measured improves. This innocent phrase has much power in its few words.
If you were to count your steps each day do you think you would tend to look for opportunities to add steps toward that magic 10,000 we are all supposed to take for better health? What about calories?
The same is true of nearly all areas of life. If we pay attention and measure what is important, it tends to improve.
Video cameras in schools have positively impacted behavior in schools. The presence of cameras says behavior is being observed, measured. Improved behavior and safety are major outcomes.
Homework is a measure of student work and accomplishment. Done or not is one measure. Done well or not is another measure. Not doing homework is an indicator of lack of commitment, effort or caring. And results in getting a zero for the assignment.
It used to be relatively easy for a student to choose mediocrity and just skip doing homework as long as he was willing to accept a reduced grade. The schools, however, are judged on the accomplishments of students, not the choices of students.
One of the ideas that has come from the Professional Learning Community process is the No Zero Zone. It is being used with great results at Marietta Middle School. Now, if a student chooses not to do the homework assignment he gets to spend time after school doing that homework.
Parents are contacted by phone to inform them of the student’s late departure on days when they are assigned to the No Zero Zone. Sadly, some parents have learned to dodge these calls and the student avoids the assignment. A measure of parental commitment that does not speak well of their focus on student success.
One cannot just sit in the Zone but must actually produce the work in order to get credit. If the student chooses to not show up, a note is sent to the Assistant Principal and the result can be assignment to Lunch Detention.
Lunch Detention happens in the cafeteria in an area sectioned off by dividers with no opportunity for socialization. After lunch, the students remain in this section and are not permitted to go out for recess. For some, this is a great disincentive and is having the desired results. On a recent visit an administrator commented to me that he observes students actually doing homework during the lunch period in order to avoid being assigned to the No Zero Zone and starting the process that leads to Lunch detention.
The mere act of observing behavior is a measure in itself. Take for instance, students in hallways between classes. Teachers observing students in hallways after the class bell has rung results in more students being motivated to get to class on time.
This only works if, like No Zero, there is a consequence affixed to behavior beyond acceptable limits. That is, a tardy slip being sent to the Principal for those arriving late to class.
Much of what happens in schools is designed to prepare students for life in the workplace. Arriving a few minutes late is not a good choice at most jobs. Not completing assigned tasks is another poor choice with consequences. Easier to learn these skills at the school level than to lose jobs in later life.
Video cameras are a way of life today. The ones we recently approved for purchase meet state guidelines for new buildings and will be moved to new schools when that time comes. Monies approved last spring enable us to enhance student safety with this addition.