What is the discipline situation like at your school?

[flamingeaux]

This is my first year at this school, and they're pretty strict, and I kind of love it. They get a warning, a step, and then if they commit another infraction, they go to the detention teacher, for a counseling/coaching session for the rest of that period if necessary. I have not experienced this level of support in regards to discipline before. I like that they get the coaching on appropriate choices and I don't have to stop my class to do it.

[irishbride2]

We are relationship based, which I prefer. We use Responsibility Centered Discipline.

[erbear]

Aug 11, 2017 6:05:30 GMT -5 irishbride2 said:

We are relationship based, which I prefer. We use Responsibility Centered Discipline.

Same here. We're a Quaker school so much more about reflecting about how your actions impact the community vs. punishment (out of school suspensions are pretty much reserved only for kids who we are going to expel - drugs being the top issue). I prefer the "come have lunch with me and let's talk it out" method - less disruptive in the moment and much more effective.

[Jalapeñomel]

We use the intervention approach. It's inconsistent at best, and at worst, completely ineffective.

[UMaineTeach]

It's basically an individualized free for all.

[imimahoney]

I work in the suburbs in a UMC town. Discipline is laughable.

There are rules but everything lacks enforcement. Plus, a lot of the rules are dumb.

[hippygirl]

LACKING.

The admin has no back bone. Parents threaten teachers and the admin will not call the police/district. The admin screams at us if we go above her the proper channels. She prefers to sweep problems under the rug.

I work in a very low socioeconomic elementary school. We have 4/5th graders being recruited to gangs.

[Monica Geller]

Aug 11, 2017 12:50:41 GMT -5 UMaineTeach said:

It's basically an individualized free for all.

This is the best description for my school as I've seen. Some kids get harsh punishment. Most get nothing. We have a new principal this year, so I guess we'll see if anything changes.

[sarahswim]

Ineffective at best. My principal is a product of our school system; he is friends with many parents. So, if you're a friend of his, your kids can do whatever they want. If you're not, it basically depends on how he feels that day. It's maddening.

[sugarbear]

I don't even know how to answer this question. We have a system, but there are always exceptions. It seems that every situation is an exception. Our principal is awesome in ALMOST every way, but he tends to give many kids second chances. In his defense, kids rarely get third chances. So I guess that's good?

[artgirl823]

Different administrators deal with grades 7-9 and 10-12.

The guy in charge of 7-9th grade is very consistent and amazing to deal with. If I write a referral or send a kid to his office, he will always issue a consequence. As such, the kids hate the idea of getting sent there and will generally settle down, fill out a think sheet, etc.

The woman in charge of 10-12th grade is inconsistent as hell. Depending on the day, she might issue a kid 3 days of ISS or send them back to my classroom with a lollipop. The kids know this and take advantage of it. 

[njw]

We are a PBIS school, but also moving toward a Restorative Classroom idea. I like and dislike things about both.

[flamingeaux]

We do PBIS, as well. I love that I can spend more time rewarding the ones who deserve it than dealing with behavioral issues.

[njw]

Aug 14, 2017 17:41:06 GMT -5 flamingeaux said:

We do PBIS, as well. I love that I can spend more time rewarding the ones who deserve it than dealing with behavioral issues.

I like it too, but we struggle with dealing with behavior problems most of which are caused by trauma that has occurred outside the school.  It's a process and every year it gets better.

[nsl]

Aug 14, 2017 15:23:45 GMT -5 njw said:

We are a PBIS school, but also moving toward a Restorative Classroom idea. I like and dislike things about both.

We've theoretically been a Restorative Paractice school for two years, but very few people (including administrators) have been fully trained, so implementation has been very uneven.  When it's been done well I've seen AMAZING results, but more often than not situations that need a significant amount of attention are glossed over.  

[njw]

Aug 14, 2017 21:00:55 GMT -5 nsl said:

Aug 14, 2017 15:23:45 GMT -5 njw said:

We are a PBIS school, but also moving toward a Restorative Classroom idea. I like and dislike things about both.

We've theoretically been a Restorative Paractice school for two years, but very few people (including administrators) have been fully trained, so implementation has been very uneven.  When it's been done well I've seen AMAZING results, but more often than not situations that need a significant amount of attention are glossed over.  

It seems like the whole school (or at least admin) really has to buy into it for it to work.

[nsl]

Aug 15, 2017 14:39:38 GMT -5 njw said:

Aug 14, 2017 21:00:55 GMT -5 nsl said:

We've theoretically been a Restorative Paractice school for two years, but very few people (including administrators) have been fully trained, so implementation has been very uneven.  When it's been done well I've seen AMAZING results, but more often than not situations that need a significant amount of attention are glossed over.  

It seems like the whole school (or at least admin) really has to buy into it for it to work.

Yes, and buy in alone doesn't cut it.  Done correctly, restorative justice is a really powerful tool, but it's time-consuming for all participants.  When administration claims to want a restorative campus, but also wants to avoid pulling students from classes (even after serious infractions) for longer than ten minutes at a time, it amounts to a slap on the hand for the kid, and no restorative work for the teacher/peers who have been wronged.  At worst, it destroys school morale because it sends a message that there aren't any real consequences for offenders, and that victims should forgive and forget instantly.