At the conclusion of the class discussion, I informed the group that I would make copies of the contract they had drawn up and bring it to them the following day.
Upon entering the class the next day, I was greeted with almost virtual silence. All of the students were working quietly on a test which was being given to determine where their strengths and weaknesses in math lay. I glanced over at the teacher and he said, "They've been this way the whole period." I congratulated the students on a job well done and turned back to the teacher. He again stated, "they've been this way the whole period." The change was phenomenal.
I check back with the class about once a week, and for the most part, the class is making positive progress. There are a few students who continue to cause problems and we deal with them on an individual basis.
TOC has empowered both the teacher and the students to take control of their educational setting and work out together some of the difficulties which were present in the class. Both the students and the teacher are a lot happier and less stressed as a result of their work.