I currently have a student who has extreme difficulties in the class. He is academically slow, and he struggles in his writing. He is 14 years old, and is knowledgeable about his disability, yet he continues to neglect to do several assignments. I would like to implement a contract but have no idea what to put on the contract or how to draw it up. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Why do you feel the ‘contract’ will make a difference? The ‘contracts’ of school are not legal contracts and if they were, no minor would be allowed to sign them. Minors may not enter into legally binding agreements in our society.
Does any of his homework involve writing? If he struggles in writing and yet is expected to write at home at night where there may be no support or structure, he may not be able to complete his homework. If writing is such a struggle he may not be up to the struggle after a day in school.
Are these homework assignments crucial to his progress? If they are, consider having him do them in school where you can keep a watchful eye.
The only time I have seen contracts work is where they are ‘binding’ on both teacher and student. Most ‘contracts’ of school only stipulate what the student must do. Yet all contracts in real life are agreements between two parties and each party must do something. What would you be able to promise him for your end of the contract? No homework on weekends? An A? People who sign contracts and agree to provide something are given something in return. What could he be given in return? That put into the contract might work.
Good luck.