Zeros Are Not Permitted

by
Michael D. King
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TechNTuIt.pbworks.com

ZAP Program
An extended day program that forces students to take responsibility for their own academic
requirements is the Zeroes Aren't Permitted or ZAP program. Factors to consider when attempting to
teach responsibility include age, maturity, ability to understand, and social development. Usually,
irresponsible behaviors become prevalent in adolescence, and that is a natural part of child
development: adolescents are much more socially than academically focused.

Many adolescents first exhibit at-risk behaviors by choosing not to complete assignments. At-risk
students often do not know how to take responsibility for themselves and/or have problems in
accepting responsibilities. Often, in their eyes, the easier choice is to take a zero, despite the fact that
the majority of students who fail to do their daily assignments do not attain the basic skills necessary to
advance to the next grade. Consequently, schools must force students to be accountable for daily
assignments, and one way to do this is through an after-school or extended day program.

The ZAP program is designed to teach responsibility, encourage and support problem solving, and
reinforce appropriate planning on the part of the student. It provides a consequence for inappropriate
decision making, but the consequence is not a zero. The student has the option of completing the
assignment without school supervision or completing it with supervision in the after-school program.
However, the bottom line is that the student will complete the assignment and is not given the option to
take a zero.

Establishing Procedural Guidelines

When designing such a program, various points should be considered. First, teachers and parents should
understand the purpose and procedures of the program. It is also important to solicit parent permission,
which can be accomplished through a letter to all parents, not just the parents of at-risk students. (See
Exhibit 7-1.2. Parent ZAP Letter) The letter could be handed out during parent and student orientation
night, at enrollment, or during the first week of school. The ZAP program is used most frequently for at-
risk students, but other students will need to be referred occasionally also, so all parents must be
informed of the program.

The letter of introduction should describe the intent of the program and outline the necessary
procedural guidelines. The guidelines should be clearly stated in lay terms, using as little educational
jargon as possible. The tone of the letter should be positive, not punitive. The program should be
communicated to parents as one of the programs the school provides to help students succeed in
school. Participation in the program should be the parent's option, especially since the program is
designed for after-school hours. The permission form part of the letter must be returned so that
teachers know whether or not the student can be referred for the ZAP program.

In addition to the letter of introduction, forms are necessary to notify parents about which assignments
are incomplete and when the student will be kept after school. Exhibit 7-1.3, the ZAP Warning Form,
shows one method for communicating the student's options. This form is the first step in referring a
student to the program and is sent home with the student on the day that the student fails to complete
an assignment. The form warns the student and the parent that ZAP detention will be assigned if the
completed assignment is not returned by the stated deadline. Often, the ZAP warning will provide
sufficient motivation, and the completed assignment will appear on the next school day. Schools could
use the ZAP warning as a courtesy, especially for students who have only occasional lapses. For students
who develop a consistent pattern of incomplete assignments, the ZAP warning should be omitted.
If the student does not produce the completed assignment by the stated deadline, a ZAP Detention
Form (See Exhibit 7-1.4 ZAP Detention Form) is sent home. This form provides the student with two
options; however, both options require a parent signature, since the parent needs to be informed
promptly when the student fails to complete an assignment. The first option allows the student to bring
the completed assignment, along with the signed detention form, on the following day.

The second option assigns the student to after-school detention and informs the parent of the time and
place of detention. This option also requests that the parent inform the school about how the student
will be picked up after the ZAP detention.

Staffing Requirements
The ZAP program requires adequate staffing by professional staff who understand at-risk behaviors and
who are patient and willing to provide individualized tutoring. Additional tutors could be solicited from
the community through various volunteer groups, such as literacy groups, civic organizations, and
retired teachers. One staff member needs to be in charge of coordinating the program, and the selected
individual is the key to the success of the program.

The coordinator will need time during the school day to plan and to contact students, teachers, and
parents. This type of program can be cost-effective through appropriate administrative innovations. The
coordinator could be one who is already hired to teach during the regular school day for three periods,
is provided with two planning periods at the end of the day, and then stays one hour after school for this
program. Another innovation is to allow the coordinator to report to school one hour later than the
other staff members. The responsibilities of the coordinator include all of the following: processing
referrals, contacting teachers for missing assignments, contacting parents to confirm student
attendance, recruiting and training volunteers, returning completed assignments to the teachers,
following up on students in the program, and working with the school counselor(s) as a part of the
school at-risk team.

Communicating Procedural Guidelines

The special programs section of the professional guide should include a policy statement and all forms
necessary for ZAP implementation. The following is an example of how the policy for this program can
be communicated in a site-based professional guide under the special programs section.

Policy. The ZAP program is available for use by teacher teams or by individual teachers. This program
provides expanded opportunities either before or after school for students who are having difficulty in
completing assignments. A ZAP detention notice will be sent home for parent notification and signature
the day before the intended detention. Any team or individual teacher that wants to implement this
program must obtain written parental permission first.
 Exhibit 7-1.2
ZAP PARENT LETTER

Dear Parent(s),

<INSERT SCHOOL NAME HERE> is beginning the Zeroes Aren't Permitted (ZAP) Program. Students who
fail to complete their assignments will be assigned to the ZAP Study Program after school. This program
offers an educational opportunity to prevent a zero(es) as a grade.

When a student has missing work, a teacher may give a written warning notice to be taken home and
signed by the parent. If the ZAP.

Warning with parent signature and completed assignment are not returned the next day, a ZAP
Detention will be given.

Students will report to the ZAP Program by <INSERT TIME HERE> P.M. and extra time will be added for
lateness.

Students not staying on task, disrupting the education of others, or displaying inappropriate behavior
will be sent to the school office, and their parents will be called.

If a student misses an assigned ZAP Study Program, two consecutive sessions of after-school attendance
will be required.

If the assignment is not adequately completed and/or the after-school commitment of attendance is not
fulfilled, a parent contact will be attempted. A conference with the parent will be necessary.

If the parent and student choose not to take advantage of the ZAP Program, zeroes for missing
assignments will be issued at the instructor's discretion.

Our goal is to make the student's school years productive and enjoyable. Parents are an important part
of a successful education, and we will need your assistance to ensure your child participates in ZAP
whenever necessary.

Please read the following statements, check the appropriate one, and return the bottom portion to
school.

Sincerely,

Your Child's Teacher

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

__ My child may participate in the ZAP Program as deemed necessary by his/her teacher. I will be
contacted if he/she is staying after school.

__ My child may not participate in the ZAP Program.

________________________________________ _______________________________________
Student's Signature Parent's Signature
 Exhibit 7-1.3
ZAP WARNING FORM
_____________________________________________________________________________________

ZAP WARNING
______________________________________ does not have the following assignment. The completed
assignment and this signed note should be turned in by______________________ .The completed work
will avoid zeroes. Failure to do this will result in a detention note.

Teacher: ______________________________________

Parent Signature: _______________________________

Missing Assignment: ____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Exhibit 7-1.4
ZAP DETENTION FORM

Zeroes Aren't Permitted

To the parent(s) of ________________________________________________________

The following assignment was not handed in when due: ____________________________________________

OPTION I: Please have your child complete the missing assignment tonight and return it to me tomorrow, with this
note signed and attached.

OPTION 2: If missing assignment is not returned, a Z.A.P. time has been indicated below. Please sign under option
2 that you agree with the assigned time. If there is a conflict for the assigned time, please let us know.

Teacher's Signature _______________________________________________________________

OPTION ONE: ASSIGNMENT COMPLETED OPTION TWO: ASSIGNMENT NOT COMPLETED

The completed assignment is attached. Your child will attend ZAP Study HaIl on:
Parent's Signature __________________________ M, T, W, Th, F 7:30 A.M. - 8:00 A.M. (Rm. # )

If time is inconvenient in option two please respond M, T, W, Th, F 3:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. (Rm. # )
below _______________________________________
____________________________________________ PLEASE CHECK ONE
____________________________________________ o Parents will pick up. o Student will walk home.
____________________________________________
Parent's Signature ___________________________

Cell Phone ___________ Work Phone ____________

Thank you for your support in our efforts to help your child become more responsible. If you have any questions
about this note or the Z.A.P. Program, please call me at (INSERT PHONE NUMBER)