| Notes from the Field Various sources on the effectiveness of Kelso's Choice |
Scarborough School District, Maine
Group members will learn how to help students become self-monitoring, self regulating
individuals by supporting children with implementing the "Kelso's Choice" conflict resolution
tool. The group will continue the practice introduced last year and support staff and children
in becoming proficient in using "Kelso's Choice" during any part of the school day. Group
members will practice reflective assessment techniques (anecdotal records, checklists, informal
observation, classroom tests and self-assessment) to determine if students have acquired the
knowledge necessary to use the Kelso's Choice program effectively. Members will also use
role-playing to help students become proficient in using the conflict resolution tool. Reflection
will be done by monitoring students ability to identify small versus large problems as well as
their ability to identify a number of choices that will help deal with small problems. Group
members will reflect on assessment techniques with the use of anecdotal records and group
discussions/sharing.
Group members will learn how to help students become self-monitoring, self regulating
individuals by supporting children with implementing the "Kelso's Choice" conflict resolution
tool. The group will continue the practice introduced last year and support staff and children
in becoming proficient in using "Kelso's Choice" during any part of the school day. Group
members will practice reflective assessment techniques (anecdotal records, checklists, informal
observation, classroom tests and self-assessment) to determine if students have acquired the
knowledge necessary to use the Kelso's Choice program effectively. Members will also use
role-playing to help students become proficient in using the conflict resolution tool. Reflection
will be done by monitoring students ability to identify small versus large problems as well as
their ability to identify a number of choices that will help deal with small problems. Group
members will reflect on assessment techniques with the use of anecdotal records and group
discussions/sharing.
Fairfax County Public Schools,Virginia
An independent assessment (March 1993) gave the
program a good rating with the following comments:
Well organized and appears to be easily implemented. It
is designed to teach all students to learn skills to be
peacemakers. The authors incorporate different learning
styles and use a variety of techniques to reinforce the
concepts.
Linda Coye, Elementary School Guidance Counselor, Virginia
The Kelso program is a hit with both the 3rd graders and
the teachers. The question I get is 'Why didn't we have
this at the beginning of the year?' And that is exactly
what I plan to do in September - offer this to grades 1 to
3. This is definitely a 'Keep it simple, make it fun
program' that is perfect for an elementary guidance
counselor.
Park Elementary, Bremerton, Washington
Staff at this school observed a 75% reduction in fighting
and rule violations after "Kelso’s Choice" was adopted.
Inservice evaluations of the "Kelso's Choice" material
and content reflects teacher, counselor, and staff
perception of the program.
Colegio, Nueva Granada, Colombia South America
Kelso’s Choice is a child centered discipline program
taught and used in the primary and elementary schools.
It helps students take appropriate action to solve small
conflicts. It helps children become aware of their own
behavior, boosts the children’s self-esteem and promotes
positive interaction/communication with one another.
The program accomplishes the following goals: teaches
self management, increases and improves self-esteem,
teaches problem ownership, minimizes tattling, reduces
classroom disruptions, strengthens family/school
communication.
An independent assessment (March 1993) gave the
program a good rating with the following comments:
Well organized and appears to be easily implemented. It
is designed to teach all students to learn skills to be
peacemakers. The authors incorporate different learning
styles and use a variety of techniques to reinforce the
concepts.
Linda Coye, Elementary School Guidance Counselor, Virginia
The Kelso program is a hit with both the 3rd graders and
the teachers. The question I get is 'Why didn't we have
this at the beginning of the year?' And that is exactly
what I plan to do in September - offer this to grades 1 to
3. This is definitely a 'Keep it simple, make it fun
program' that is perfect for an elementary guidance
counselor.
Park Elementary, Bremerton, Washington
Staff at this school observed a 75% reduction in fighting
and rule violations after "Kelso’s Choice" was adopted.
Inservice evaluations of the "Kelso's Choice" material
and content reflects teacher, counselor, and staff
perception of the program.
Colegio, Nueva Granada, Colombia South America
Kelso’s Choice is a child centered discipline program
taught and used in the primary and elementary schools.
It helps students take appropriate action to solve small
conflicts. It helps children become aware of their own
behavior, boosts the children’s self-esteem and promotes
positive interaction/communication with one another.
The program accomplishes the following goals: teaches
self management, increases and improves self-esteem,
teaches problem ownership, minimizes tattling, reduces
classroom disruptions, strengthens family/school
communication.
Erin Barry, School Counselor,Valhalla Elementary School, Washington
As Valhalla’s school counselor, I strive to help all students be safe and successful at
school. I do this by working with them to build confidence, learn to solve problems,
develop friendship skills, and cope with difficulties.
As Valhalla’s school counselor, I strive to help all students be safe and successful at
school. I do this by working with them to build confidence, learn to solve problems,
develop friendship skills, and cope with difficulties.
Michael Janssen - Principal Arbor Park Middle School,
Blair, Nebraska
By using this plan, we believe that our students will
develop effective problem solving skills that they
can use again and again. It will help them to deal
with conflict in a positive manner and to make
appropriate decisions. Knowing what to do will
help students reduce the stress and number of
conflicts they have at school and in their
neighbourhood. Colorful charts illustrating ways to
deal with conflict will be posted so all children will
know their choices. We encourage you to become
familiar with this program and use it in your home .
By working together, we can develop a healthy life
skill for young people to use at home and at school.
Blair, Nebraska
By using this plan, we believe that our students will
develop effective problem solving skills that they
can use again and again. It will help them to deal
with conflict in a positive manner and to make
appropriate decisions. Knowing what to do will
help students reduce the stress and number of
conflicts they have at school and in their
neighbourhood. Colorful charts illustrating ways to
deal with conflict will be posted so all children will
know their choices. We encourage you to become
familiar with this program and use it in your home .
By working together, we can develop a healthy life
skill for young people to use at home and at school.
Veronica Wilkie, Principal, Brandywood School,Wilmington, Delaware
Brandywood Elementary has a number of special programs that support and enhance the
educational, social, and emotional growth of our students. Our Kelso Conflict Resolution
Program, known as Brandywood ABC's , is a school-wide initiative that teaches students
strategies for developing positive peer relationships, communication with others, solving
disagreements and problems, and mediating conflicts. Through classroom lessons, large and
small group counseling sessions, and school-wide incentives, students practice and apply
Kelso strategies and receive positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviors. "Catch `Em
Being Good" tickets and Class Compliment Cards are student favorites and can be
redeemed for special privileges from the staff. Brandywood´s proactive conflict resolution,
interventionist, and mentoring programs have resulted in a minimal number of reportable
offenses. Students learn to work and play cooperatively and to appreciate each other's
special talents.
Brandywood Elementary has a number of special programs that support and enhance the
educational, social, and emotional growth of our students. Our Kelso Conflict Resolution
Program, known as Brandywood ABC's , is a school-wide initiative that teaches students
strategies for developing positive peer relationships, communication with others, solving
disagreements and problems, and mediating conflicts. Through classroom lessons, large and
small group counseling sessions, and school-wide incentives, students practice and apply
Kelso strategies and receive positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviors. "Catch `Em
Being Good" tickets and Class Compliment Cards are student favorites and can be
redeemed for special privileges from the staff. Brandywood´s proactive conflict resolution,
interventionist, and mentoring programs have resulted in a minimal number of reportable
offenses. Students learn to work and play cooperatively and to appreciate each other's
special talents.
Stephanie Nelson, Guidance Counselor, Windsor
Elementary School, Wisconsin
As an elementary school counselor I get to interact
with the students in many positive ways in a
preventative manner. Each classroom comes to my
room for Guidance class every other week. 2 nd
graders are learning about problem solving
through “Kelso’s Choice”
Elementary School, Wisconsin
As an elementary school counselor I get to interact
with the students in many positive ways in a
preventative manner. Each classroom comes to my
room for Guidance class every other week. 2 nd
graders are learning about problem solving
through “Kelso’s Choice”
Edmunds Elementary School, Vermont
Kelso thrives in the halls and classrooms of Fairfield
Elementary! We will continue to utilize the Kelso’s
Choice Program with our students. Kelso’s Choice:
Conflict Management for Children is a powerful tool
for children that focuses on empowering children with
the ability to determine their own behavior and
appropriate problem ownership. Kelso’s Choice
assumes that all children are capable of becoming
peacemakers. It has been designed to reduce tattling
through a proactive approach that keeps small
problems from escalating and prevents negative
attention-getting mechanisms from occurring. This
program also gives students an important conflict
resolution tool which they can use when adults are not
available or readily accessible. The focus of classroom
guidance lessons has been conflict resolution. I
encourage you to become familiar with this program
and Kelso’s choices for handling small problems and to
try it out at home!
Kelso thrives in the halls and classrooms of Fairfield
Elementary! We will continue to utilize the Kelso’s
Choice Program with our students. Kelso’s Choice:
Conflict Management for Children is a powerful tool
for children that focuses on empowering children with
the ability to determine their own behavior and
appropriate problem ownership. Kelso’s Choice
assumes that all children are capable of becoming
peacemakers. It has been designed to reduce tattling
through a proactive approach that keeps small
problems from escalating and prevents negative
attention-getting mechanisms from occurring. This
program also gives students an important conflict
resolution tool which they can use when adults are not
available or readily accessible. The focus of classroom
guidance lessons has been conflict resolution. I
encourage you to become familiar with this program
and Kelso’s choices for handling small problems and to
try it out at home!
Dean Ficken, Principal. Emerald Park Elementary
School, Washington
All students at Emerald Park will receive annual
training with
Kelso’s Choice, a program that teaches children to
resolve conflicts. The program provides children
with ways to deal with difficult situations. When
used on a school-wide basis, Kelso’s Choice is
proven to be extremely effective. We encourage you
to become familiar with the strategies and use them
in your home and neighborhood. By working
together, we can develop a healthy life skill for
young people to use.
School, Washington
All students at Emerald Park will receive annual
training with
Kelso’s Choice, a program that teaches children to
resolve conflicts. The program provides children
with ways to deal with difficult situations. When
used on a school-wide basis, Kelso’s Choice is
proven to be extremely effective. We encourage you
to become familiar with the strategies and use them
in your home and neighborhood. By working
together, we can develop a healthy life skill for
young people to use.
Karen Evich, Martin Sortun Elementary School, Kent
School District, Washington
We are big on problem-solving at Martin Sortun! This
is why I teach Kelso's Choice, a program that teaches
students to identify "big" problems (a serious problem
that they should tell an adult about) from "small"
problems (problems that they are capable of handling
themselves).
School District, Washington
We are big on problem-solving at Martin Sortun! This
is why I teach Kelso's Choice, a program that teaches
students to identify "big" problems (a serious problem
that they should tell an adult about) from "small"
problems (problems that they are capable of handling
themselves).
Pat Fitzgerald, Byam School, Massachusetts
This uncomplicated, easy-to-teach, conflict resolution
program helps young children distinguish between "big"
problems which require adult intervention and, "small"
problems that they can solve themselves. Nine choices
are taught as tools to help children solve problems and
conflicts. When reinforced in the classroom, on the
playground, and at home, this program empowers
children, reduces tattling, and teaches them to make
positive choices to resolve conflict throughout their lives.
This uncomplicated, easy-to-teach, conflict resolution
program helps young children distinguish between "big"
problems which require adult intervention and, "small"
problems that they can solve themselves. Nine choices
are taught as tools to help children solve problems and
conflicts. When reinforced in the classroom, on the
playground, and at home, this program empowers
children, reduces tattling, and teaches them to make
positive choices to resolve conflict throughout their lives.
Sandy Gougeon, Behavioural Services Coordinator,
Ontario
Kelso' Choice is a problem-solving model. It
encourages children to better brainstorm the choices
available to them when there is a conflict. Everyone
has conflicts. This program helps identify problems
they (children) can solve on their own," she explains.
The ideal situation is for each principal and teacher
to take ownership of the program, says Gougeon,
and integrate the principles into the daily lives of the
children, although it is not necessarily in each school
in the system. Kelso's Choice' can be used by
teachers, whether in their classrooms or outside at
recess. The program's philosophy is simple…each
child is seen as smart enough and strong enough to
resolve conflict and all children are capable of
becoming peacemakers.Conflict resolution needs to
be seen in all aspects of life. That's how we make
this program - and any kind of program - effective.
Ontario
Kelso' Choice is a problem-solving model. It
encourages children to better brainstorm the choices
available to them when there is a conflict. Everyone
has conflicts. This program helps identify problems
they (children) can solve on their own," she explains.
The ideal situation is for each principal and teacher
to take ownership of the program, says Gougeon,
and integrate the principles into the daily lives of the
children, although it is not necessarily in each school
in the system. Kelso's Choice' can be used by
teachers, whether in their classrooms or outside at
recess. The program's philosophy is simple…each
child is seen as smart enough and strong enough to
resolve conflict and all children are capable of
becoming peacemakers.Conflict resolution needs to
be seen in all aspects of life. That's how we make
this program - and any kind of program - effective.
Alice V. Hedden Elementary, A National Standard Bearer
School, Washington State
We realized a 5% decrease in office referrals for the
2003-2004 school year. We believe this is a direct
reflection of the increased awareness of the issues of
bullying, harassment and intimidation and the effort
to document and report such behaviors. In addition
to the somewhat lower number (200 in 2002-2003 and
190 in 2003-2004), we also tracked the actual number
of students receiving office referrals. 81 students
accumulated 190 referrals with 19 students receiving
4 or more. We realized an increase in the number of
students who used Kelso’s Choice to solve small
conflicts. Adults regularly heard student dialoguing
using Kelso’s Choice vocabulary when referring to
what they should and shouldn’t do.
School, Washington State
We realized a 5% decrease in office referrals for the
2003-2004 school year. We believe this is a direct
reflection of the increased awareness of the issues of
bullying, harassment and intimidation and the effort
to document and report such behaviors. In addition
to the somewhat lower number (200 in 2002-2003 and
190 in 2003-2004), we also tracked the actual number
of students receiving office referrals. 81 students
accumulated 190 referrals with 19 students receiving
4 or more. We realized an increase in the number of
students who used Kelso’s Choice to solve small
conflicts. Adults regularly heard student dialoguing
using Kelso’s Choice vocabulary when referring to
what they should and shouldn’t do.
Kathy Trainer, Meridian Health Educator, New Jersey
We use a non threatening frog puppet to teach children
how to solve problems in a peaceful way. Communities
need to work together to promote a healthy , non violent
environment for children from infancy through the
teenage years. Teachers who participated in the Kelso`s
Choice program during its first year reported a significant
decrease in physical conflicts and tattling .
We use a non threatening frog puppet to teach children
how to solve problems in a peaceful way. Communities
need to work together to promote a healthy , non violent
environment for children from infancy through the
teenage years. Teachers who participated in the Kelso`s
Choice program during its first year reported a significant
decrease in physical conflicts and tattling .
Eastwood Elementary, Roseburg, Oregon
A longitudinal pilot study undertaken at Eastwood Elementary in Roseburg, Oregon tracked
the incidence of severe rule infractions (fighting, intimidation, inappropriate language,
illegal acts) during the first four years that "Kelso's Choice" was implemented. An 82%
decrease in these behaviors was noted. General rule infractions decreased 32% during the
same time period.
A longitudinal pilot study undertaken at Eastwood Elementary in Roseburg, Oregon tracked
the incidence of severe rule infractions (fighting, intimidation, inappropriate language,
illegal acts) during the first four years that "Kelso's Choice" was implemented. An 82%
decrease in these behaviors was noted. General rule infractions decreased 32% during the
same time period.
Byrom Elementary School Tualatin Oregon
If students simply cannot come to an agreement with someone they fill out a "We
Don't See Eye To Eye" form. This indicates to me they have tried at least two of
Kelso's choices and need me as a mediator. Using this form in the classroom really
helps eliminate the time I spend working out disputes between the children.
If students simply cannot come to an agreement with someone they fill out a "We
Don't See Eye To Eye" form. This indicates to me they have tried at least two of
Kelso's choices and need me as a mediator. Using this form in the classroom really
helps eliminate the time I spend working out disputes between the children.
Deborah Brister, Oak Park School, Sarasota, Florida
Oak Park School is located in the Sarastoa County
District and serves students with a broad range of
special needs, ages 3 to 22. Emotionally disturbed
students are staff into the most structured classroom
settings, with a system of behavior modification utilizing
a sophisticated point system coupled with frequent
positive reinforcement activities. The goals for these
students are to modify behavior and encourage success
so that the students can be mainstreamed back into their
district school. Deborah Brister works with individiaul
classrooms and addresses bullying issues and conflict
management through Kelso's Choice.
Oak Park School is located in the Sarastoa County
District and serves students with a broad range of
special needs, ages 3 to 22. Emotionally disturbed
students are staff into the most structured classroom
settings, with a system of behavior modification utilizing
a sophisticated point system coupled with frequent
positive reinforcement activities. The goals for these
students are to modify behavior and encourage success
so that the students can be mainstreamed back into their
district school. Deborah Brister works with individiaul
classrooms and addresses bullying issues and conflict
management through Kelso's Choice.
| Kelso's Choice Conflict Management for Children "It's your choice" A program to empower K-5 Students |
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