From the Training:
Certified Safe & Loved Practitioner

In 1988, Dolly Parton offered every seventh and eighth grader in Sevier County, Tennessee, a sweetheart of a deal.

Pick a buddy.
If you both graduate, you both get $500. 

If one of you doesn't graduate, neither of you gets the money. 

The dropout rate reportedly fell from 35% to 6%.

There’s something in this that we can all learn and use to make our schools safe and loved. 

Namely… 

Give people a purpose big enough to inspire them and a mission simple enough to act on and great things can happen. 

In Sevier County, there was a clear finish line and a clear reward. 

Both of you graduate and you both get the cash. 

No 37-page strategic plan. No twelve objectives and nineteen measurements. Everyone knew exactly what they were trying to accomplish. 

It’s also worth pointing out that Dolly didn't say, Work harder! Do better! Care more! That was baked into the offer. 

You had to do that if you wanted to graduate. 

We spend a lot of time trying to increase people's effort directly.
But maybe effort isn't where we should start every time.
Maybe we first give them something worth working hard for? 

Dolly gave them a purpose that was exciting to a seventh or eighth grader.
$500 cash. 

I know that doesn’t seem like much but keep in mind, this was 1988.
Heck, back then you could buy a decent car for that little money. 

These are real ads from 1988... 

CHEVY, 1974, NOVA-4dr, auto, trans., power steering, brakes, 85,000 miles. $500. DODGE, 1978, ASPEN-114,000 mi., radio, good running condition. Extra tires. $500. 

I know this story about is about students, but I can’t stop thinking about what this offer must have meant for the teachers. 

Before this offer, a teacher might be trying to get Sam to graduate because Sam needs to graduate. Now Sally's success is tied to Sam's, and Sam's is tied to Sally's. 

Suddenly the teacher isn't dealing with two isolated students.
Now everyone is connected. 

"Come on, Sam. Sally needs you. Sally, Sam needs you. Let's get both of you that $500!" 

That's a completely different energy. 

From a school safety perspective, we know that the safest places are those where people feel connected. But in this case, the students weren't being connected to a place. They were being connected to each other. 

It’s no longer I have to make it.
But we have to make it. 

That changes everything.

Because we’re connected in purpose, now I have a reason to notice whether you're struggling. I have a reason to ask where you were yesterday. I have a reason to encourage you. 

Your problems have become relevant to me because your success matters to my success. You matter to me. 

Connection is the best prevention.
It’s the foundation of a safe school and a guiding principle of Safe & Loved. 

So remember Dolly’s model when you're trying to accomplish something. 

▶️ Give a purpose big enough to inspire and a mission simple enough to act on.
▶️ Make it something that excites them.
▶️ Keep it simple.
▶️ Make the finish line and reward clear.

Then get out of the way and watch what a big purpose does to motivation, energy, effort, and school safety.