Our school district has adopted the idea of restorative discipline, which means students who act out or have problems aren't given consequences or punished in any way (unless for fighting, drugs, weapons, etc.) We are asked to counsel the students and try to build relationships with them to promote better behavior. I have no problem at all with talking to kids, trying to get to know them, and giving them some support. Some kids, though, respond negatively to that. When that happened in the past, I would back off and give the student respect, but we're constantly told by the administration to be persistent with the students. We also don't have any consequences at all. One kid pushed an autistic girl on the floor, spit on someone at lunch, shot teachers with a laser pointer, made sexual comments to girls in our school, and caused problems in almost every class, for over five months. He hasn't received a single detention, suspension, etc. Any thoughts on this would be welcome.
2007-02-13 12:01:08 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Children must go through much learning and unlearning before they actually come to know what's right or wrong. Dont treat them as adults before they show adulthood in their action, speech and thought. True, you cant be very harsh on them all the time. But not having them punished at all wont work. Remember, when you dont punish them you tell them that their act is pardonable. Let them know how errant their behavior is from punishments meted out to them. You dont only have the responsibility to correct them but also help them take proper control of such situations that they would face in future. I have heard of many parents saying that if they would have corrected their childen at the right time they would have saved themselves from much trouble.
2007-02-13 14:14:34 · answer #1 · answered by Mau 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm all for giving kids respect and talking about their problems and their feelings, but I think that this idea is just a little too out there to possibly work. I can't imagine that they will keep this method of discipline once either the amount of problems start to rise, or the parents/teachers revolt.
I feel for you. Good luck!
2007-02-13 13:56:31 · answer #2 · answered by Jellybino 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there is a group in australia and I believe their program is called restorative justice. they definitely DO believe in consequences but they aren't punitive. no consequences at all sounds ludicrous to me. natural and logical consequences are the best. good luck finding some middle of the road way. sounds like your district has swung the pendulum a bit too far!
2007-02-13 12:41:16 · answer #3 · answered by outtahere 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋