Problems in Schools Questionnaire (PIS)

[Vignette A: Jim is listless and not completing work] She should impress upon him the importance of finishing his assignments since he needs to learn this material for his own good.

[Vignette A: Jim is listless and not completing work] Let him know that he doesn't have to finish all of his work now and see if she can help him work out the cause of the listlessness.

[Vignette A: Jim is listless and not completing work] Make him stay after school until that day's assignments are done.

[Vignette A: Jim is listless and not completing work] Let him see how he compares with the other children in terms of his assignments and encourage him to catch up with the others.

[Vignette B: Sarah made more progress than expected] Increase her allowance and promise her a ten-speed if she continues to improve.

[Vignette B: Sarah made more progress than expected] Tell her that she's now doing as well as many of the other children in her class.

[Vignette B: Sarah made more progress than expected] Tell her about the report, letting her know that they're aware of her increased independence in school and at home.

[Vignette B: Sarah made more progress than expected] Continue to emphasize that she has to work hard to get better grades.

[Vignette C: Donny loses his temper and agitates others] Emphasize how important it is for him to control himself in order to succeed in school and in other situations.

[Vignette C: Donny loses his temper and agitates others] Put him in a special class which has the structure and reward contingencies which he needs.

[Vignette C: Donny loses his temper and agitates others] Help him see how other children behave in these various situations and praise him for doing the same.

[Vignette C: Donny loses his temper and agitates others] Realize that Donny is probably not getting the attention he needs and start being more responsive to him.

[Vignette D: Son failed spelling test but plays soccer tomorrow] Ask him to talk about how he plans to handle the situation.

[Vignette D: Son failed spelling test but plays soccer tomorrow] Tell him he probably ought to decide to forego tomorrow's game so he can catch up in spelling.

[Vignette D: Son failed spelling test but plays soccer tomorrow] See if others are in the same predicament and suggest he do as much preparation as the others.

[Vignette D: Son failed spelling test but plays soccer tomorrow] Make him miss tomorrow's game to study; soccer has been interfering too much with his school work.

[Vignette E: Spelling group having trouble all year] Have regular spelling bees so that Rangers will be motivated to do as well as the other groups.

[Vignette E: Spelling group having trouble all year] Make them drill more and give them special privileges for improvements.

[Vignette E: Spelling group having trouble all year] Have each child keep a spelling chart and emphasize how important it is to have a good chart.

[Vignette E: Spelling group having trouble all year] Help the group devise ways of learning the words together (skits, games, and so on).

[Vignette F: Margy is quiet, alone, and the butt of jokes] Prod her into interactions and provide her with much praise for any social initiative.

[Vignette F: Margy is quiet, alone, and the butt of jokes] Talk to her and emphasize that she should make friends so she'll be happier.

[Vignette F: Margy is quiet, alone, and the butt of jokes] Invite her to talk about her relations with the other kids, and encourage her to take small steps when she's ready.

[Vignette F: Margy is quiet, alone, and the butt of jokes] Encourage her to observe how other children relate and to join in with them.

[Vignette G: Marvin was caught stealing a paperweight] Talk to him about the consequences of stealing and what it would mean in relation to the other kids.

[Vignette G: Marvin was caught stealing a paperweight] Talk to him about it, expressing her confidence in him and attempting to understand why he did it.

[Vignette G: Marvin was caught stealing a paperweight] Give him a good scolding; stealing is something which cannot be tolerated and he has to learn that.

[Vignette G: Marvin was caught stealing a paperweight] Emphasize that it was wrong and have him apologize to the teacher and promise not to do it again.

[Vignette H: Child gets average grades and you want improvement] Encourage her to talk about her report card and what it means for her.

[Vignette H: Child gets average grades and you want improvement] Go over the report card with her; point out where she stands in the class.

[Vignette H: Child gets average grades and you want improvement] Stress that she should do better; she'll never get into college with grades like these.

[Vignette H: Child gets average grades and you want improvement] Offer her a dollar for every A and 50 cents for every B on future report cards.