Apathy

BRIEF SUMMARY

Apathy is one of the biggest hurdles to student success. It can often surface in middle school or early high school

KEY POINTS

• Apathy can often mask bigger issues, such as lack of confidence, anxiety or depression. As always, it is important to get the whole picture on a student before deciding on an intervention.
• It is helpful to engage the student in the discussion of possible solutions. They can help identify the most powerful interventions and any extra supports that are needed.

SHARED WISDOM

• We have received grant money for an incentive and are doing it school wide.  We will be taking our students tubing in two weeks. Our requirements:  1. Attendance–could not have more than 6 unexcused absences.  2.  Grading–No F’s at the semester.  3.  Discipline-no more than 2 issues. We are expecting approximately 45% of our school going.  Students are required to attend school and we will be doing digital assignments as every student has a chromebook.
• We had a “Freshman Academy” at my old school.  We had “core teachers” that only taught freshmen in one hallway in the building.  These teachers did special units with the freshmen about note taking, study skills/habits, peer relations/pressure, good choices, etc.  They would target specific behaviors/concerns to motivate students.  After 3 years, all 4 grade levels will have been through the program and you may see some improvements.

RESOURCES

• The Well Today (Calvalyn G. Day)

• Why Try Curriculum
• Freshman Focus curriculum

CONTACT TOPIC MANAGER

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