Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 26/04) - It's called ACT (Applied Control Theory) and it's behavioral science's latest and greatest for turning "bad kids" around.

Last week, Yellowknife Education District No. 1's restitution project co-ordinator Lynn Taylor and psychologist Dr. Jeff Grumley were in Inuvik to share their expertise on how ACT can be implemented to modify negative behaviour patterns amongst children.

Using the idea of restitution as a starting point, ACT not only encourages children to recognize their own anti-social behaviour, but also shows them how to fix mistakes for themselves and return to their peer groups strengthened.

"This was what our dream was when we started," said Grumley, pointing to the full Finto banquet room. "Could we get a community that wanted this? After this response our hope is to return in the fall and have a workshop for parents."

Several organizations and institutions, including the RCMP, Sir Alexander Mackenzie school, Ingamo Hall Society, Aurora College and the Justice Committee, sent representatives to take part in the workshop.

ACT's underlying principles are in line with traditional knowledge, said Grumley and Taylor.

"It's based on respect, sharing and working together," said Taylor, whose own work at Ecole J.H. Sissons school in Yellowknife has helped to bring about a significant decline in major behaviour incidents at the school.

When the restitution program began there in 1998-1999, there were 49 suspensions. Four years later that number dropped to eight.

SAMS has also been using restitution for about three years, taking part in the same pilot project as J.H. Sissons.

Positive turn

Principal Bernie MacLean said that he and his staff have noticed a positive turn in students' behaviour.

"They are starting to recognize the language of restitution and we are seeing the change." SAMS elementary school's restitution room monitor Martin Kratz has also seen the benefits of the program first hand.

"It definitely encourages kids to establish a frame of mind that will help them avoid mistakes in the first place," he said.

The most common behaviour problems he encounters are classroom disruptions and fighting.

Once students appear before Kratz, his first step is getting them to understand why they've been sent to him. Then students are asked to come up with ways in which to make amends with themselves and with others who have been affected by their actions.

And as Taylor and Grumley point out, ACT is as valid for those meting out disciplinary action.

"This method can teach educators, parents and community caregivers new skills and strategies to manage youth without fear and coercion," said Taylor. "And to do this, we need to look at ourselves first."