Student–teacher contract is a unique choice available to students under Student-directed teaching, a progressive teaching technology.
Student–teacher contract is a teaching style that student seldom choose. It is primarily intended for students who need limited instruction, but are not ready to be entirely self-directed. The student is responsible for creating the contract, which includes what will be done, in what order, and for how long. In this style, the students require a little more structure, which they receive from creating a contract to follow. At the same time, with input from the teacher, this contract allows the student to begin to individualize his or her learning according to their strengths and weaknesses.
Under student–teacher contract, the teacher will:
Provide a unit plan consisting of the objectives for several days, written in a language that students can understand
Sign the contract presented by the student once the teacher agrees with its terms
Visit with the student at least once each period
Determine the appropriateness of the style selected by the student
Use good questioning techniques and negotiation to help steer the student to becoming more independent
Provide perception checks and final tests as indicated in the unit plan
Provide a second evaluative activity if requested by the individual student
The student will:
Study each objective and decide how the learning will take place
Complete the contract and present it to the teacher for approval
Listen to the instruction provided for Command and Task students, if the objective is beyond the student's experience
Consider what he or she knows and what he or she does not know when selecting the type and amount of practice
Declare the mark expected on each perception check and test
Do more than one perception check if the mark is not within the flexibility factor
Prepare a plan that outlines how they are going to use their earned time
