from Ed Ford May 10, 1996:
To all: I just received a form letter from the Institute for Control
Theory, Reality Therapy, and Quality Management. This is the institute
founded by William Glasser. First, he is changing the name from the
above to The William Glasser Institute. Secondly, he is changing the
name of control theory to choice theory. As he says, "I am doing this
because I have expanded what I was initially taught by William Powers by
adding the basic needs, the quality world, total behavior. I have long
divorced myself from the levels of perception..."
Third, he states "since I have been trying to help people create quality
schools, I have been saddened by the fact that some of our faculty are
teaching discipline programs. I believe that all discipline programs
are
S-R based and focus on changing students rather than changing the system
from S-R to choice theory. I believe that it is impossible for any
school that focuses on discipline to become a quality school....."
Finally, he states that "once the name of the institute is officially
changed to the William Glasser Institute, I will ask all present faculty
members, who accept the above philosophy to join me in the new
institute.
In doing so, they have made the decision to only teach my written and
spoken ideas, or ideas I presently endorse. To be perfectly clear, if
they choose to teach, sponsor or support assertive discipline, judicious
discipline, restitution or any discipline program, present or future,
they cannot be accepted or continue as faculty members of the William
Glasser Institute."
I was a member of the Institute For Reality Therapy from 1969 to 1980 or
81. I left for various reasons, the most important being that I felt
Glasser's ideas on Perceptual Control Theory didn't seem to be the same
as Bill Powers was teaching (although my understanding then was very,
very limited). What all the above means is that control theory is no
longer apart of the reality therapy/quality schools language. Also, for
those working within Glasser's fold, they cannot teach any discipline
program.
Although, as I said above, I am not a member of his institute,
my own program, the responsible thinking program, is not behavioral, but
rather deals with thinking. It also creates a mutual respect and helps
students create the kind of self-discipline and respect for one another
that creates the kind of environment where all academic programs can
flourish. Take care, Ed