SHORT COMMUNICATION 100
School Problem Number One
By
Roger Behra
The public school systems throughout America are beset with major problems of great concern from many directions. These problems cause schools to fail their annual ratings, failing academic results, high dropout rates, lower graduation rates, and very qualified teachers to leave the teaching profession. They leave because their lesson preparation time and their classroom teaching time has become more and more limited. But the one problem along with these two that rests at the top of the pile is STUDENT DISCIPLINE.
Let us take a visit to most public school elementary, middle, or high school classrooms in just about any city in America. But, first, prepare yourself for some important factors that are not readily reported by the mass media. Also, keep in mind it is the public schools. Private schools are a different and altogether much better situation, and thankfully so.
The first thing noticed is how used the physical environment in far too many American schools is, especially in poorer small towns and cities. The boy's washrooms are pathetic. Once the students enter the building and classroom you will notice that environment is not likely to produce good discipline. Over-crowding is very apparent, which provides a tense atmosphere, as desks are arranged very close to each other. And that is the spark that ignites discipline problems.
Because of the overcrowding students are easily inattentive and talk between themselves, which is very disruptive to the teacher. When the teacher tries to maintaine a conducive teaching and learning situation, valuable time is lost trying to control discipline. Stern measures have to be used, especially if a student leaves the seat.
During the times when discipline is a problem a student is asked to leave the classroom on many occasions. Many times the student refuses, and that leads to a very disruptive situation. Physical contact often takes place. The physical contact can take place between another student or between a teacher and a student. In most cases the physical contact is between a teacher and a student. The following are some examples of just that.
A 14-year-old Texas school boy died when he refused to stay in his seat. As a result the teacher wrestled him to the floor and lay on top of him. In California a 1 year old girl ended up on the floor and sat on. She was restrained and secluded from the rest of the class. In another case in Illinois an 8 year old hyperactive boy was bound to a chair and his mouth taped shut. When physical contact isn't the case, verbal abuse from student to teacher is the case. Cursing, and obscene words, and threats are common. And the teacher has to be careful that his/her auto is not later damaged. Yes, all these things happen because discipline is a very great problem in American schools. In general there is great concern about the safety of the teachers and students while trying to maintain a very positive and successful classroom learning environment.
Maintaining good discipline is absolutely necessary in order to have a safe and positive learning experience and school in general.lt is the number one problem.
It is true that some teachers are poor at maintaining good discipline. Their services are short lived.
The overwhelming reason schools are burdened with great discipline problems is no discipline is taught in the homes. Unless that changes, schools will see no relief in their number one problem. That is as clear as clean crystal. No discipline in the homes equals no discipline in the schools,
R.B.
7-31-09