White's Rules: Saving Our Youth One Kid at a Time

I thought this book covered some very practical ideas. A lot of the stories found in the book were a bit surprising. He truly made a turn around with some of these kids. He also admits that not everything worked. At times I found myself getting a little caught up with his sense of an ego lingering through the pages. I almost felt as if there was a bit of bragging going on. Although I think he is a man who deserves to boast since he sacrificed a lot of time and money to help others, not mention often putting his life at risk for his kids. I gained a couple of good ideas about how to get kids inspired to do things, to build up courage to do the right thing, to ask more of parents, and most of all to emphasize strong morals and values. I'm not talking about religious morals, he vaguely mentions them, I'm talking about being a good person and fighting for justice in your daily life. He talked about sacrifice, work ethic, respect, integrity. I even learned some things about these values myself. It's what this nation educational system is lacking and I'm glad he brought up! One thing I found faulty with his system: he had the option of kicking kids out of his schools if they chose not to comply with his standards. That is one very significant option teachers and parents usually don't have. However, he emphasized parents roles in their children's lives. I would definitely recommend this to parents, because he acknowledges that more often than not bad behavior is caused by a weak structure at home, reading this would only help. He really brings these kids back from the dead as well as some families in the process. I'm glad someone finally acknowledged the growing problem of education systems: the lack of care or concern for these kids BEYOND the classroom.

Mr. White doesn't claim to have a system to cure all of the schools' ills but he certainly has a good start. He also makes the statement that today's kids aren't any worse than we were but just the boundaries aren't as well defined as we had back in the 50's and 60's. Mr. White does admit to his failures, not every one has coming through his doors went out a better human being but many are able to shop where they want and get ahead instead of stuck in the same dependency cycle. His rules are simple. He outlines them in the book and how he applies them. He told a story on the radio about a wealthy parent pulling her child out of an expensive private school to attend his charter school. The usual method of admission to his school, Mr. White jokes, is 2 felony convictions. The wealthy parent was impressed with how the kids behaved and were learning much more than at the expensive private school. Now there is a caveat here, Mr. White's school is only 30 to 40 students with himself, a probation officer, and another teacher in a tough part of town. The teachers and the students spend the whole school day together talking about personal issues as well as the educational topics. Mr. White has taught in regular schools and admits he has as many non-contract renewals as awards, so everything has not been a bed of roses. He says the biggest key is the administration backing up the teachers and principals. The parents need to talk with the teachers - so this isn't just a teacher working against the system but creating a support system for the students.

paul white has made it simple...just do what is already available to do..the kids will get there if we let them and encourage them. this is a must read for everyone... i passed this book on to some teachers and adminstrators...they tell me there is a waiting list to read it. well done

There's tendency as a veteran teacher of twenty-five years to think I have all the answers about how to run an effective classroom. White's Rules is a reminder that what is basic in life is also basic in the classroom. The classroom must provide more than academic instruction; it must be a place where teachers establish the primary values and morals that their students need to survive in the world outside the classroom. This book shows how teachers can demand bedrock solid values of their students and reap the rewards of mutual respect that such values create. White's Rules is not just a book for inner city teachers and their "incorrigibles" it is also a book for teachers like me in the suburbs with diverse middle class kids. The combination of strict consistent discipline and unconditional love is a formula that works. I recommend this book to anyone looking to find what's essential and what works in the classroom today.

I agree with the many points that White makes. Kids will naturally test limits and so clearly defined limits with significant consequences are necessary. But while enforcing rules that students must be punctual, not swear, and not dress like a gangster are worthwhile, the later half of the book is the most important. Teachers should not simply teach kids academics, they also need to teach morals, how to live right, to care for others, and to make a difference. While his rules might not be able to be enforced so strictly everywhere, I think they can be modified and adapated for most schools and other similar organizations. The book is motivational and encouraging, I recommend it to parents, educators, and anyone who works with groups of adolescents.