GANG ATTITUDES & ACTIONS: Strategies & Interventions

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The phenomenon of gang related criminal youth activity has plagued our larger urban centers and inner cities for over two decades. However, in recent years we have seen an out migration of this type of activity and a linkage of gang activity with drug distribution. Smaller cities, towns and even suburban communities that, until recently, had no experience in dealing with this violent criminal subculture, suddenly are immersed with gang activity.

This course will explore the reasons gangs exist, how they are formed and what is the core of their existence. Participants will learn gang terminology, what defines gang attire and how to identify gang behavior. Levels of gang activity will be discussed along with specific strategies to minimize this activity in your schools.

Topics to be addressed include: types of gangs, how to discourage kids from joining a gang, pre-gang behavior, assessment and planning guide, intervention and strategy guidelines, system approach to gang prevention.

Several successful programs will be presented along with daily rules and guidelines to discourage gang involvement. Participants will find themselves more confident and capable of working with these at risk youths upon completing this course. 

This course is appropriate for educators in the K-12 range.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completion of this course, participants will have:

1. Identified factors contributing to gang activity.
2. Developed strategies to address school-wide pre-gang behavior.
3. Intervened effectively when confronted with gang attitudes or actions.
4. Listed intervention strategies for gang behavior, gang discussions or attitudes directed within a classroom.
5. Developed an effective program for a classroom, school or district as it relates to gang behavior.
6. Assessed appropriate interventions and integrate them into daily routines in the schools.
7. Addressed preventative methods within the school system for students.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Completion of all specified assignments is required for issuance of hours or credit.  The Heritage Institute does not award partial credit. 

HOURS EARNED:
Completing the basic assignments (Section A. Information Acquisition) for this course automatically earns participant’s their choice of CEUs (Continuing Education Units), Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, or Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours. The Heritage Institute offers CEUs and is an approved provider of Washington State Clock Hours, Oregon PDUs, and Pennsylvania ACT 48 Hours.

UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT INFORMATION

REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT
Continuing Education Quarter credits are awarded by Antioch University Seattle (AUS). AUS requires 75% or better for credit at the 400 level and 85% or better to issue credit at the 500 level. These criteria refer both to the amount and quality of work submitted.

1. Completion of Information Acquisition assignments 30%
2. Completion of Learning Application assignments 40%
3. Completion of Integration Paper assignment 30%

CREDIT/NO CREDIT (No Letter Grades or Numeric Equivalents on Transcripts)
Antioch University Seattle (AUS) Continuing Education Quarter credit is offered on a Credit/No Credit basis; neither letter grades nor numeric equivalents are on a transcript. 400 level credit is equal to a "C" or better, 500 level credit is equal to a "B" or better. This information is on the back of the transcript.

AUS Continuing Education quarter credits may or may not be accepted into degree programs. Prior to registering determine with your district personnel, department head, or state education office the acceptability of these credits for your purpose.

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION

REQUIRED TEXT

None. All reading is online.

MATERIALS FEE

Once you register, log onto the instructor’s website at www.michaelsedler.com. Click on Classes, then scroll down and click on Gang Attitudes & Actions manual. The manual will download as a PDF file to your computer.

ASSIGNMENTS REQUIRED FOR HOURS OR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT

A. INFORMATION ACQUISITION

Assignment #1:  Read the Manual.

Assignment #2:  Read Your Chosen Text.

Assignment #3:  Complete Forms in Manual.

Assignment #4:  Literature Review.

Assignment #5:  All About Gangs.

Assignment #6:  2 Week Journaling.

• Make notes of each story and your impressions.
• Have a minimum of 3 entries.
• Write a 2-3 page paper.

Assignment #7:  Analysis & Recommendations.

Assignment #8:  Local Law Enforcement.

ADDITIONAL ASSIGNMENTS REQUIRED FOR UNIVERSITY QUARTER CREDIT

B. LEARNING APPLICATION

In this section you will apply your learning to your professional situation.  This course assumes that most participants are classroom teachers who have access to students.  If you are not teaching in a classroom, please contact the instructor for course modifications.  If you are a classroom teacher and start or need to complete this course during the summer, please try to apply your ideas when possible with youth from your neighborhood, at a local public library or parks department facility,  (they will often be glad to sponsor community-based learning), or with students in another teacher’s summer classroom in session.

Assignment #9:  Local Assessments & Interventions.

Assignment #10:  Lesson Development.

• Develop a lesson to reflect what you’ve learned in this course.
• Implement your lesson with students in your classroom.
• Write a 2 page commentary on what worked well and what could be improved.
• Include any student feedback on your lesson.

• Share what you’ve learned with other teachers taking our courses by also contributing your Lesson to The Heritage Institute Lesson Library located at https://www.hol.edu/lesson-plan-library

• Develop a lesson to reflect what you’ve learned in this course. (Do not implement it.)
• Write a 2 page summary concerning any noteworthy success you’ve had as a teacher with one or more students.

• Please refer to the guidelines on our blog https://www.hol.edu/blog prior to writing your article.
• Please email a copy to Rebecca Blankinship (rebecca@hol.edu) THI blog curator and media specialist. 
• Indicate whether or not you are OK with having your article considered for publishing on our website. 
• Subject line to read: (Course Name, Blog)

Assignment #11:  (500 level only)

C. INTEGRATION PAPER

Assignment #12: (Required for Clock Hrs, PDUs, CEUs, Act 48, 400 and 500 level)

SELF REFLECTION & INTEGRATION PAPER
(Please do not write this paper until you've completed all of your other assignments)

1. What did you learn vs. what you expected to learn from this course?
2. What aspects of the course were most helpful and why?
3. What further knowledge and skills in this general area do you feel you need?
4. How, when and where will you use what you have learned?
5. How and with what other school or community members might you share what you learned?

Send to your instructor at their email address. Subject line to read  "(put course name here) Integration Paper"

INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS ON YOUR WORK:

Please indicate by email to the instructor if you would like to receive comments on your assignments.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR TEACHING THIS COURSE:

Mike Sedler, D.Min., M.S.W. brings over 30 years of educational experience as an administrator, social worker, behavior specialist and teacher to each of his classes.  

He provides consultation services and seminars throughout the United States and Canada for schools, agencies and businesses.  He has been teaching “adult learning classes” since the mid 1980’s and has had the privilege of working for The Heritage Institute for over 25 years. 

He has a graduate degree in Social Work, a Doctoral degree in Ministry, a Counseling license, as well as his teaching certification (K-8).  His combination of classroom experience, behavior intervention approaches, and involvement in working with hundreds of families allows for an excellent blend in all his classes.

Mike is passionate about children and emphasizes the importance of avoiding power struggles, offering options/choices to children, setting clear boundaries and guidelines as well as finding a place of positive engagement and connection with each individual.  His heart for people and emphasis on positive communication are found throughout his seminars and classes.

All of Mike’s classes are practical and “field tested” in schools and classrooms. Educators have found ongoing success in implementing Mike’s clear and concise approaches.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

GANG ATTITUDES & ACTIONS: Strategies & Interventions