Dr. Ross Greene
144 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 28 ratingsAlong with four school principals, Dr. Ross Greene -- originator of the Collaborative Problem Solving approach (now called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions) and author of The Explosive Child and Lost at School -- helps teachers and parents better handle behaviorally challenging kids in the classroom and at home through implementation of his approach to solving problems collaboratively. This program airs on the first Monday of each month (September through May) at 3:30 pm Eastern time.
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Episodes
A Hodge Podge of CPS Help
December 07, 2021 16:00 - 46 minutes - 20.8 MBLots of helpful topics covered today including adjusting the model for kids with language difficulties, drilling for information, wording unsolved problems, and more!
Helping Behaviorally Challenging Students
November 20, 2017 20:30 - 46 minutes - 41.2 MBOn the first Monday of every month at 3:30 pm Eastern time, from September through May, Dr. Ross Greene and four principals from schools in the U.S. and Canada cover a wide range of topics related to behaviorally challenging students and school discipline in general and Dr. Greene's Collaborative & Proactive Solutions (CPS) model in particular. You can call into the program to get your questions answered or submit them via email here. And, if you can't listen live, all the programs are arch...
The ALSUP Writes Your IEP For You
October 10, 2017 19:30 - 45 minutes - 41.2 MBWell, we finally had our first program of the school year, and our primary focal point -- led by our newest co-host, Heidi O'Leary, Special Education Director in Topsham, Maine -- was on how to write a CPS-flavored IEP, driven by the Assessment of Lagging Skills and Unsolved Problems (ALSUP). This is big...
Are CPS and Applied Behavior Analysis Compatible?
May 01, 2017 19:30 - 46 minutes - 41.2 MBApplied behavior analysis (ABA) is very commonly applied for behaviorally challenging kids in schools these days...but is ABA compatible with CPS? Are we just talking different languages?
Rewards are "Working"? For Who?
April 03, 2017 19:30 - 39 minutes - 34.9 MBLots of territory covered on today's program, including a discussion about school values...but at the end of the program we discussed whether reward programs work for anyone in the building. We thought not...
Can Traumatized Kids Participate in Plan B?
March 06, 2017 20:30 - 46 minutes - 41.3 MBKids with trauma histories may need Plan B even more than most, as it's where their concerns are heard and addressed and they begin to feel that they can influence outcomes. Of course, all kids need to feel that way.
Best Thing to Do with Crises? Prevent Them!
February 06, 2017 20:30 - 44 minutes - 40.2 MBPardon the repetition, but crisis prevention is far superior to crisis management, and there are lots of things about Collaborative & Proactive Solutions that make crisis prevention more feasible.
Help! This Student is Completely Out of Control!
January 09, 2017 20:30 - 44 minutes - 40 MBIf a student is highly volatile, unstable, reactive, and unsafe, there are a few things to bear in mind: (1) s/he didn't get that way overnight; (2) there must be many expectations the student is having difficulty meeting; (3) reducing those expectations -- Plan C -- is a very good way to get things stabilized; and (4) even if takes a lot of time and energy to stabilize that student, it's a lot less time and energy than that student is consuming when s/he's unstable.
When Good Teachers Are Asked to Do Too Much
December 05, 2016 20:30 - 46 minutes - 41.7 MBWhat happens when class size, systemic issues, and the overwhelming needs of students outstrip a teacher's capacity to respond adaptively? It can't be good...
CPS and the Three Tiers
November 07, 2016 20:30 - 40 minutes - 36.1 MBIf your school is implementing PBIS, you may be wondering which "tier" is the best fit for Collaborative & Proactive Solutions. The truth is, CPS is relevant to all three tiers. If that's the case, how important are the tiers?
Waterville Junior High: Let's Roll
September 12, 2016 19:30 - 43 minutes - 39.3 MBOur first program of the new school year was recorded live at Waterville (Maine) Junior High School, which had massive numbers of disipline referrals, detentions, and suspensions during the 2015-2016 school year. This year, led by principal Carole Gilley and assistant principal Doug Frame, they'll be implementing Collaborative & Proactive Solutions, with the goal of dramatically reducing those numbers. On this program, they received some guidance from school leaders who've been there and done...
Furious About Dysfunctional Discipline
May 09, 2016 19:30 - 45 minutes - 40.3 MBOn the last program of the school year, we were able to respond to some callers and some emailers...including one teacher who's very frustrated by her school system's approach to students' challenging behaviors and is having difficulty changing the system on her own.
Does "This is Boring" Mean "I'm Not Motivated"?
April 04, 2016 19:30 - 45 minutes"I'm bored" could mean many different things, all of which await discovery in the Empathy step of Plan B. What are the odds that "I'm not motivated" is the student's concern? Slim and none.
School Values
March 07, 2016 20:30 - 45 minutes - 41.1 MBMany schools have mission statements, but not an explicit description of values. Many schools have delineated values but don't pay attention to them. But values are what should guide every decision and intervention, so it's a good idea to know what they are.
Something's the Matter with this Picture
February 01, 2016 20:30 - 46 minutes - 41.4 MBOn today's program, our panel responded to an email from an anguished teacher who was looking for some guidance on what went wrong with one of her students and his parents.
Fight or Flight Students
January 04, 2016 20:30 - 46 minutes - 41.2 MBAs always, we covered lots of territory on today's program...including how CPS can help students who are in fight or flight mode and how to help kids who have very tough lives outside of school.
That's Not CPS!
November 09, 2015 20:30 - 45 minutes - 41.1 MBGoodness, there sure are a lot of ways to stray from the CPS model...and we heard about a lot of them on this program!
Life Without Carrots and Sticks
October 05, 2015 19:30 - 45 minutes - 40.7 MBThose adult-imposed consequences that are so popular in schools these days...do we really need 'em? You can probably guess the answer...
A Classic Case of Dueling Solutions
September 21, 2015 19:30 - 46 minutes - 41.4 MBWhat happens when parents and teachers skip concerns and jump straight to solutions? Probably nothing good.
What Next for This Challenging Student?
May 04, 2015 19:30 - 46 minutes - 41.4 MBOn this final program of the school year, one of our principals told us about a student whose behavioral challenges have been making life very difficult...for himself and her. How best to get things on track?
Why Isn't the CPS Model Being Implemented in Every School?
April 06, 2015 19:30 - 46 minutes - 41.3 MBOur principals weighed in on this question...and lots of others.
The Least Toxic Response
March 02, 2015 20:30 - 46 minutes - 41.4 MBSchools abide by a least restrictive environment standard in placing kids in classroom settings...shouldn't schools also adhere to a least toxic response standard in helping students with behavioral challenges?
It's Never "Just" Poor Motivation
January 05, 2015 20:30 - 47 minutes - 42.3 MBAre there students who are simply unmotivated to do well, or is it always more complicated than that? Is motivation the engine or the caboose? Alas, this was a very interesting discussion...
Lots to Learn About a Tough New Student
December 01, 2014 20:30 - 45 minutes - 41.2 MBSusan described a new student with some interesting and unexpected points of view...and the discussion started rolling from there...
Seismic Shift: Focusing on Problems Rather Than Behaviors
October 20, 2014 19:30 - 47 minutes - 42.3 MBDr. Greene and the principals focused on a variety of topics, but probably the biggest: the importance of shifting away from focusing on behaviors (and modifying them) and toward the problems giving rise to those behaviors (and solving them).
Assumption Check
September 08, 2014 19:30 - 46 minutes - 10.3 MBIt's that time of year again...the students are back, and the problems that were unsolved at the end of last school year are probably still unsolved now (except in British Columbia, where school hasn't started yet due to mitigating circumstances). Today's program focused on assumptions about why students have difficulty meeting expectations, and whether we should start by assuming that they really can meet those expectations or immediately leap into solving problems collaboratively to find ou...
"Learners" versus "Doers"
May 05, 2014 19:30 - 46 minutes - 10.3 MBOur guest on today's program was Tim Graves, Superintendent of Schools and Programs in the Near North District School Board in Ontario, Canada. He has some interesting ideas about the characteristics of schools that successfully implement the CPS model (and those that struggle), and those ideas sparked a very interesting discussion among our group of principals.
Four Ways to Improve School Discipline
April 07, 2014 19:30 - 46 minutes - 10.3 MBThe Educators Panel shared their thoughts on an article that recently appeared in the Christian Science Monitor (click here) in which recommendations for improving school discipline from the Discipline Disparities Collaborative were described. And they had some thoughts on a bunch of other things too!
After the Principal's Gone
March 03, 2014 20:30 - 46 minutes - 10.4 MBOn this month's program, the Educators Panel tackled the question of how to ensure that CPS outlives a principal's tenure in the building...and then got an update from (and had some guidance for) Mallett School in Farmington, Maine, one of the schools implementing CPS building-wide.
Plan B Feeds Us Too
February 03, 2014 20:30 - 43 minutes - 9.77 MBWhat's crystal clear is that the CPS model is really helpful for behaviorally challenging (and other) students. But, among the various resounding messages from today's program, it's also clear that educators get a lot out of it too.
New Year's Resolutions
January 06, 2014 20:30 - 46 minutes - 10.4 MBOur group of educators has grown to four -- Susan, a school principal from Surrey, British Columbia has joined the Educators Panel -- and not only did they have guidance for schools just getting started with the CPS model...they also had their own New Year's Resolutions for moving the ball forward in their buildings.
Building Momentum
December 09, 2013 20:30 - 43 minutes - 9.64 MBDr. Greene and Educators Panel answered some email questions from listeners this week who are in the beginning stages of implemention. Topics included the patchwork of behavioral techniques, how to convince colleagues to change their lenses and the pros and cons of having a principal involved in the core group (which both panelists are heavily in favor of).
Advice from Experienced Educators
November 04, 2013 20:30 - 46 minutes - 10.3 MBThe Educators Panel are joined today by Ryan Quinn, principal of Kennebunk Elementary school, a school that is currently in the early stages of implementing the CPS model. Ryan discusses how the implementation process is going thus far, adding that by using the model as part of the spectrum of interventions used at the school has already captured all of the kids that weren’t being understood and helped before. The Educators reflect on their respective experiences and offer advice on many aspe...
Helping Behaviorally Challenging Students
October 07, 2013 19:30 - 27 minutes - 6.05 MBHow do we do a better job of understanding and helping students with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in our schools...while simultaneously feeling like we're "holding kids accountable"...while attending to the diverse needs of other students...while trying to make sure they all do well on high-stakes testing? Not by simply increasing detentions, suspensions, and expulsions or referring behaviorally challenging kids into the judicial system! In this program, Dr. Ross Greene -- ...
Getting Started
September 30, 2013 19:30 - 45 minutes - 10.3 MBOn today's program, Dr. Greene was joined by Lisa, a high school special education teacher who's been leading the charge for Collaborative & Proactive Solutions in her school. Lisa told us about how she got the ball rolling in her building, how the core group was formed, and the challenges that lie ahead.
What's Wrong With This Unsolved Problem?
September 23, 2013 19:30 - 35 minutes - 7.85 MB"It all starts with the Assessment of Lagging Skills and Unsolved Problems". Identifying lagging skills ensures that adults have the right lenses on. Identifying unsolved problems that are congruent with the four guidelines helps adults and kids know what problems they're trying to solve. Both are indispensible.
Some Help With the Wording of Unsolved Problems
September 16, 2013 19:30 - 45 minutes - 10.2 MBOn today's program, Dr. Greene provided feedback to a caller on the wording of the unsolved problems she'd written for a student on the Assessment of Lagging Skills and Unsolved Problems. That feedback might be helpful to you too!
The Challenges of Implementing CPS
September 09, 2013 19:30 - 46 minutes - 10.3 MBThe students are back, and so is the Educators Panel! Our principals shared what they're doing at the beginning of this school year to further implementation of Dr. Greene's model (now called Collaborative & Proactive Solutions), with some exciting developments at Nina's school and some strategizing at Carol's new school. Tom had some difficulty avoiding the term "collaborative problem solving" (Dr. Greene is now legally prohibited from using that name to refer to his model), but made excell...
Anytown's Second Plan B
May 13, 2013 19:00 - 46 minutes - 10.3 MBOn this program, we listened to an example of the Empathy step of Plan B recorded by the very brave staff at Anytown Elementary. Then we heard their self-assessment: Nice job of engaging the student in the discussion and with reflective listening...but cut back on the amount the adults are talking and theorizing.
Educators Panel: Taking Challenging Behavior Seriously
May 06, 2013 19:00 - 46 minutes - 10.3 MBLots of ground was covered on this last Educators Panel of the current school year, including how to prove to kids and adults that we're taking challenging behavior seriously...and whether Plan B does the job.
Anytown's First Plan B
April 29, 2013 19:00 - 45 minutes - 10.3 MBOn this program, we listened to our first recording of a Plan B from the staff at Anytown Elementary...and, as with any first attempt at Plan B, some things went well and other things didn't. But the ball is now rolling...
Anytown Elementary: Return to the ALSUP
April 22, 2013 19:00 - 45 minutes - 10.3 MBOn this program, we listened to another recording of a meeting at Anytown Elementary in which the Assessment of Lagging Skills and Unsolved Problems was being used...and this one was really good! A sign that a little feedback can go a long way...
Anytown Elementary: Using the ALSUP
April 08, 2013 19:00 - 46 minutes - 10.4 MBOur good friends at Anytown Elementary sent in a recording of a meeting in which they used the Assessment of Lagging Skills for one of their students. It was a great first try, but they made some of the same mistakes that many folks make early on in their use of the ALSUP. Feedback was provided!
Escape From the Tyranny of the Urgent!
April 01, 2013 19:00 - 46 minutes - 10.3 MBWell, the Educators Panel covered lots of ground today -- including why we're now breaking records for the diagnosis of ADHD in kids in the U.S. -- but we also discussed how to break free from from the "Tyranny of the Urgent" and actually take the time to think about school discipline and focus on the individual needs of behaviorally challenging students. Good program!
Start Small
March 25, 2013 19:00 - 44 minutes - 10 MBThe sheer number of behaviorally challenging students and unsolved problems can be quite overwhelming as a classroom teacher is just getting started on solving problems collaboratively. So start small...the faster you try to go, the longer it's going to take...
Getting There in Georgetown, Maine
March 18, 2013 19:00 - 46 minutes - 10.3 MBOn today's program, Dr. Greene interviewed Matt Carlson, Principal at Georgetown Central School, one of many schools in Maine learning how to implement Dr. Greene's model of solving problems collaboratively through project funded by the Maine Juvenile Justice Advisory Group. Mr. Carlson's has some very useful insights for anyone determined to transform discipline practices in a school.
Guidelines for Writing Unsolved Problems
March 11, 2013 19:00 - 45 minutes - 10.3 MBDr. Greene responded to a variety of emailed questions on today's program, including several related to difficulties wording unsolved problems on the Assessment of Lagging Skills and Unsolved Problems. Relevant (and hopefully helpful) guidance was provided!
Educators Panel: Unacceptable Behavior
March 04, 2013 20:00 - 45 minutes - 10.2 MBIf you're solving problems collaboratively with students, how will they know their behavior is unacceptable? Is punishment the only way to get the job done? Is the Empathy step only for the "really challenging" students. All this and more on today's Educators Panel.
Using the ALSUP at Anytown Elementary
February 25, 2013 20:00 - 45 minutes - 10.2 MBIf you're familiar with Dr. Greene's model, then you already know that understanding and helping behaviorally challenging students begins with the Assessment of Lagging Skills and Unsolved Problems. On today's program, the staff at Anytown Elementary received some assistance in using this instrument.
Getting Away with "Lucky Plan A"
February 11, 2013 20:00 - 45 minutes - 10.3 MBYou can get away with Plan A with students who have the emotion regulation skills to handle it, but why would you want to? And if you've used Plan A with behaviorally challenging students without setting them off, consider yourself lucky.