Motivating the Underachiever is a 3-5 hour teaching in-service for teachers, counselors, school psychologists, and other education professionals. It is consistently rated as "the best in-service I have ever attended." The emphasis throughout is on practical, field-tested strategies for assigning full responsibility for classroom behavior and academic performance to the underachieving/problem child.

Topics covered include:

1. Approaching the "Reluctant" Parent: There are more parents who have a reputation for being defensive and uncooperative than there are parents who are actually defensive and uncooperative. John shares effective ways of selling parents on the idea of forming an "educational alliance" with their child's teacher(s).
2. Homework Management: John outlines a homework management plan which has been close to 100% effective at helping children accept responsibility for their homework.
3. Motivating Strategies for the Underachiever: Design and implementation of motivational strategies for underachieving and/or misbehaving students from grades one through high school. Included are strategies for resolving classroom behavior problems.
4. Understanding and Managing the Child with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD): John brings the expertise he's gained working with hundreds of ADD children to this module. He discusses the symptom picture, theories as to cause, what to do if you suspect ADD, the controversy surrounding the use of medication, and strategies for effective treatment.

Footnote: An abridged version of this in-service can be delivered a 90-minute presentation called "Hot-Button Issues in American Education."