Developing a New “Social Contract” Between Students and Teachers- Part Two

Developing a social contract for adult learners, specifically for those diagnosed with mental or physical disabilities requires a change in attitudes, behavior, and expectations. The expectations and attitudes of faculty and students are frequently misunderstood and this usually results in frustrations that often go unresolved. This lack of resolution and lack of clearly stated expectations often lead to behaviors associated with “burn out”, “drop out”, or violent confrontations. Listeners are encouraged to learn how White Apple Institute staff (www.whiteappleinstitute.org) develop social contracts that help teachers, as well as adult learners, change their behavior, deal with consequences, identify what reinforces or rewards their behaviors, and examine how behaviors become internalized.