Make Your Day

Emily MartinsonEDU6655

What Is It? The Make Your Day program is based on

the idea that a person should do what is expected and do it the best they can.

The program is a behavior tool to create consistency and responsibility for student behaviors.

It is used to teach students that everyone has the right to learn in a safe environment.

The Essentials The staff expectations for student

academics and behaviors are explicitly stated.

Students are empowered by actively participating in MYD results.

Teachers play a key role in disciplining students in the classroom; therefore, all teachers must be trained in the MYD program before it is implemented.

How it Works Each student gets a number of points.

(The number is determined by individual schools)

Each time they misbehave they lose points.

At the end of the day, if they get below a certain number of points, they did not “make their day”.

Real Life Experience (Student) “The Make Your Day program had an impact

on me because no one wanted to sit in a corner; therefore, we continued to follow the rules. It was embarrassing. It was as if we were in a time-out. The point system led to more of a competition, always trying to have more points than another person.” -Mikaila Allen (Orchard Middle School, C/O 2005)

(personal communication, December 7, 2013).

Real Life Experience (Teachers) “There is more respect in our school for

others. It is easily implemented (on the whole) and makes classroom management easier, if used correctly.”

“The program is working well. The halls are the best we can remember, with this many students. Teachers are talking the “same language” when discussing problems with logistics.”

Steps (Wooster Middle School) If a student misbehaves, he or she is given three

chances to improve the behavior in the classroom before being sent to the principal’s office.

Step One: The student sits in a chair away from other classmates, but still in the classroom.

Step Two: The student must stand with his or her back against a wall.

Step Three: The student must turn around so that he or she is facing the wall. The wall would have a message taped on it saying, “No

one has the right to interfere with a student’s education.”

Steps (According to MYD) Step One: Student sits facing away from

the class for 2-5 minutes. Step Two: Student stands facing away from

the class for 2-5 minutes. Step Three: Continues standing and is

asked to focus on the school rule posted on the wall OR choose a step 4 conference.

Step Four: Student goes to the office to call a parent to come in for a conference.

Something to Think About… Why are the steps used at Wooster

Middle School different from the steps listed on the official Make Your Day website?

Points The MYD program uses a point system. Below is an example of a point sheet.

The Point System At the beginning of each day, students start

out with a set number of points. Throughout the day, if a student misbehaves

he or she will begin to lose points. At the end of the day, if the student has lost

more than 15 points, he or she did not make their day.

If they did not make their day, they are sent home with a Make Your Day slip and must get it signed by a parent and return it the next day.

Steps vs. Points Steps are used for

interfering. Must show expected

behavior in order to “leave a step.”

According to MYD, “We do not put the child on steps, we are simply following through with the student’s request.”

Points are earned by demonstrating expected behavior.

Students earn points from the minute they walk in the door.

Points are subtracted throughout the day if they misbehave (leading to steps).

Pros The program has been known to cut

down on suspensions and office referrals.

Students are fully aware of expectations and are able to take responsibility for their actions.

Every teacher in a MYD school uses the same discipline plan, providing consistency across grade levels.

Cons Some parents describe the program as

“demeaning” and “punitive.” They argue there is not enough research

to prove that the teaching style is benefiting students.

Schools are implementing MYD differently, as seen with the different ways “steps” are used.

MYD vs. 7 Habits Disciplines using

“steps” All staff is using

the discipline plan set in place.

Has a point system.

Does not have a specific discipline plan.

Focuses on positive behavior.

Teaches students how to be a leader.

Goal oriented.

How MYD Relates to EDU6655 Material “Failures in balancing

intrapersonal, interpersonal, and extra-personal interests can have devastating effects.” (2008, Jossey-Bass) The MYD program can be

compared to figure 10.1. Successful intelligence is used to reach the common good. MYD is known to incorporate values and the ability to balance interests. Students are responsible for their learning and take ownership of their actions. They are all expected to make decisions that benefit the common good of the class and overall school.

Recommendations I would recommend this program to

schools that are interested in a school-wide behavior program.

ALL teachers and staff must be on board and willing to fully implement the program in order for it to be successful.

Concerns The Make Your Day official website is hard to

navigate. It provides ample resources but is not user friendly.

The point system is beneficial; however, the steps are a bit extreme.

Most of the information about the program varies depending on the site. Many articles and resources lack updated information, many of them being several years old. There are few articles that are current.

Resources Bagley, J. (2012, March 2) Parents, students

speak out against ‘Make Your Day’. Retrieved from http://stratford.patch.com/groups/schools/p/parents-student-speak-out-against-make-your-day

Gerdes. M. (Unknown). Point sheet. Retrieved from http://www.makeyerday.com/images/GeddesPointSheet.pdf

Make Your Day. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.makeyerday.com/mydhome.html

Unknown. (2010, January 21). Teachers talk. Retrieved from http://www.makeyourdayparents.com/teacherquotes.htm

Lodwig, J. (2010, May 26). Say no to “Make Your Day”. Retrieved from http://www.thepetitionsite.com/3/say-no-to-make-your-day/

Schleif, R. (2010, January 13). Parents still concerned about make your day. Retrieved from http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/news/2010/jan/13/parents-still-concerned-about-make-your-day/