How to Play

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The Setup phase prepares players to immerse themselves in their roles and scenarios. Here’s how to get started:

Assign Roles

Each player selects or is assigned a Role Card. This card is public and outlines:

Your responsibilities within the educational system.

Your starting resources (coins).

Examples of roles include Superintendent, Principal, Teacher, and Parent.

Distribute Agenda Cards

Each player is dealt an Agenda Card, which remains private.

Your Agenda outlines your secret motivation and end-goal. Use it to subtly influence decisions and score points.

Prepare Scenario and Power Cards

Shuffle the Scenario Cards and place them face down in the center.

Shuffle the Power Cards into a deck. Players can purchase these later with coins.

Distribute Coins

Give each player coins based on their Role Card. For example:

Superintendent: 6 coins

Principal: 5 coins

Teacher: 4 coins

Ready the Scorecard

Place the Scorecard in a visible location. Use it to track group and individual points throughout the game.

The discussion phase is where the game’s core dynamics come alive. Players explore scenarios, negotiate, and strategize.

Introduce the Scenario

Draw or select a Scenario Card and read it aloud to the group.

The Scenario outlines the dilemma to be resolved, providing key details about the challenge and its stakes.

Engage in Role Play

Each player introduces themselves by sharing their name and role.

Discuss and Negotiate

Players deliberate on how to address the scenario, aligning with their role and secret agenda.

Use coins to negotiate alliances, sway votes, or offer compromises.

Example: A Superintendent may offer coins to a Teacher to gain support for their decision.

Use Power Cards

Players can spend 5 coins to purchase and play a Power Card at any time during this phase.

Power Cards can disrupt, enhance, or shift dynamics in the group.

This step determines the immediate outcome of the scenario and assigns points based on player actions.

Prepare to Vote

Players decide between Cooperate or Individual Interest, using their double-sided Voting Card.

Example: A Parent may vote to Cooperate for the group’s benefit, while a Teacher may prioritize Individual Interest to align with their agenda.

Cast Votes

All players secretly choose one side of their Voting Card.

Votes are revealed simultaneously, fostering transparency.

Tally Points

Use the Scorecard to track points based on the following:

• Decision Outcome
  • Players reveal their Voting Cards to determine the group’s decision.
  • Tally points based on the voting results:
  • All Cooperate: Each player earns 5 points.
  • Mixed Votes: Non-cooperators earn 3 points, while cooperators receive 0 points.
• Role Performance
  • Players vote for the individual who best embodied their assigned role during the scenario.
  • Each vote equals 1 point for the selected player.
  • Record the votes under the Role Performance column for each player.
• Best Negotiator
  • Players vote for the individual who demonstrated the best negotiation skills during discussions.
  • Each vote equals 1 point for the selected player.
  • Record the votes under the Best Negotiator column for each player.
• Agenda Fulfillment
  • Players reveal whether they successfully advanced their secret agenda during the scenario.
  • Each player who fulfills their agenda earns 2 points.
  • Record these points in the Agenda Fulfillment column.
• Calculate Totals
  • Sum the points from all columns (Decision Outcome, Role Performance, Best Negotiator, and Agenda Fulfillment) for each player.
  • Enter the total in the Total column on the scorecard.
  • Example Tally (Based on Scorecard)
    • Player: Frances
    • Decision Outcome: 5 points
    • Role Performance: 2 points
    • Best Negotiator: 1 point
    • Agenda Fulfillment: 2 points
    • Total: 10 points

This process ensures every aspect of the game is accounted for, creating a transparent and competitive environment. Let me know if you'd like additional refinements!

• Exit Your Role:
  Step out of the persona you’ve adopted and return to your own professional perspective.

• Discuss Reflection Prompts:
  *See the reflection prompt section.

• Connect to Real Life:
  Use the experience to inform your actual practice. The scenarios mirror everyday educational challenges—use the insights to improve collaboration, strategic thinking, and problem-solving.

• Prepare for the Next Round:
  Gather all cards back into their decks, redistribute coins as required, and proceed to the next scenario if you’re playing multiple rounds.