Education: School Discipline

Many of you have probably experienced some sort of repercussion for misbehaving in school while you were young, immature, and naive. I remember having been disciplined only twice in my life in school. One being for not having memorized the Gettysburg Address in seventh grade in Ms. Ambler's English class (I'm terrible at memorizing things word-for-word); I had to stay after school for a ten-minute detention or so. The other was much more complex where the band and "Vote for Marcus" campaign were involved. I received office detention which I found to be an extreme punishment for the "crime". Despite the name of the detention, it was held in the cafeteria for a hour or so; luckily I was released in five minutes by being the first to answer "Who is on the Nickel?" correctly (I'm not sure if I should be surprised others responded incorrectly). I guess karma is always present. 

Quick Fact: The building featured on the nickel is Thomas Jefferson's plantation, Monticello, in Virginia. Thomas Jefferson was buried on the plantation grounds. His daughter sold the plantation after his death. Who knew that the common knowledge of the nickel would have been my token out of detention? And interestingly, I live on Monticello Blvd now!

This also reminded me of other disciplinary consequences for terrible behavior which I never had the pleasure of receiving. This included not being being to go outside for recess (It's hard enough sitting as long as they do with recess), Saturday detention, standing under the clock during lunch (how embarrassing), silent lunches for everyone even though it was only a select few who wouldn't listen, and of course being sent to the principal's office (or in middle school OSS).

So it brings up the difficult question: What is the best way to reprimand a student for bad behavior? One thing about detention is that the same group of students are usually receiving them and don't seem to even care (and in some cases it's a time to socialize). Detention and the other punishments don't really improve the situation though. The students must understand that the primary reason for school is for an education. Sometimes I feel that teachers that hand out repercussions forget that too. I feel most situations can be worked out between the teacher and student(s). If that doesn't work for some particular reason, the next step would probably a conversation with their parents. And if something has to be done to reprimand a student, I feel it should be something educational and not just sitting there socializing or even in silence. I feel there is discussion on this topic and there has been drastic change since I was in the public school system.

While it is debatable how educational system should deal with improper behavior, I know that the news of a boy being suspended for creating a gun with a Pop Tart is too harsh; many people have become too sensitive to such behavior.