The Full Value Policy

The Full Value Policy

a.k.a. The "No Discount" Policy

Years ago, for eight summers, I worked with a visionary program called Upward Bound (UB). All staff and students of UB--as well as people in other programs--honor a Full Value Policy, commonly known as "No discount."

The Full Value Policy asserts that...

·         Everyone in this learning community has value and worth.

·         Everyone in this learning community has a right to be safe from put-down comments and other behaviors which take away from--or "discount"--their value.

This is a cornerstone policy of my teaching. It is my most important guideline or class rule. It is essential for the risks we are about to take with each other as a community of learners. No exceptions; no, "But I was just kidding." Life is too short for a student to wonder if your put-down was a joke or not.

I honor this policy, too. Therefore, please please please let me know if anything I say or do feels like a discount to you--I will listen with an open heart and mind. You have a right to respect here. We all do.

Will I bat a thousand, always? No. Will I try my best, and correct any missteps? Absolutely. This is what I want from you: your best. If you get off on the wrong foot with anyone, including me, follow up. If anyone in this room hears a discount, you are encouraged to simply say, "Hey--no discount," and move on. If you feel more talk is needed, go for it--but usually a simple reminder is all that's needed.

As Aretha Franklin once sang, it's all about R-E-S-P-E-C-T.