Pathways to A Connected School (PACS)
What is PACS?
PACS is a professional development series which is designed to create and foster school communities which are achieving, caring, and safe. For over 25 years, we have helped school communities throughout the United States and Canada successfully utilize these ideas and strategies to raise test scores, create caring cultures, and reduce violence.
What is the psychological foundation of PACS?
Throughout the series we use Perceptual Control Theory* (PCT) as a theoretical underpinning to help educators understand how to interact with students in ways that facilitate students’ internal motivation. As one teacher from Iowa stated:
Perceptual Control Theory is the glue that holds together many strategies that I have used for a long time but did not understand how or why they were supposed to work. Now I do! -- Anita Vanous, IA
What are the goals of PACS?
û To improve school community relationships: violence prevention, anti-bullying strategies, and non-coercive communications.
û To increase the academic success: raise test scores, increase attendance and enhance academic performance.
û To decrease discipline referrals, and to develop discipline-within students to reduce harassment and increase individual accountability.
What school administrators say:
“Learning ‘A Connected School’ concepts has been a wise investment over the past six years. More than 800 general and special education teachers, principals, and support staff have been trained.”
– Ed Redalen, Director of Educational Services and Tricia Elmer, Director of Special Education, AEA 267, Iowa
“Perceptual Control Theory provides you with a process to define the kind of school district, school, class, and community that you want yours to be. It forms the basis of effectively working on culture, the life blood of any organization.” – Larry Rowe, Superintendent, Johnson City (NY) Community School District
“The work Jeff has done for us the past three years has been exceptional. His focus was on High School staff members who had initially been trained but wanted assistance in their classrooms…It is easy to recommend Jeff as a trainer and consultant simply based upon the results of his work with our district.” -- Richard Menzel, Director of Staff & Program Development, Roseville Area Schools, Roseville, MN
Teachers say PACS helps them to:
* Increase their effectiveness as an instructional leader.
* Manage their feelings when in conflict with other colleagues.
* Ask questions to lead students to self-evaluate their behaviors.
* Become more accepting, less critical of self and others.
Achievement & discipline data available upon request
