Jackson Free Press

On Jan. 21, young Mississippi students traveled across the state, converging in front of the state capitol. They arrived carrying their hopes, dreams, passions. They also carried the dreams of young people who could not be there, who could not publicly stake their claim on their education, and voice their demands for reform. These young people are lost in the system, their voices slowly shrinking back in insecurity and self-loathing. They are the product of an education system that lawmakers and caregivers have seriously handicapped in its effort to effectively discipline the students for whom it exists, while providing them with a free, quality education.

Fifty years ago, the vast majority of children lived in homes with both parents, and regularly engaged in their community. Today, 47 percent of children are born into single-parent homes and are increasingly isolated from the people outside of that home. The profile of the "average" student has drastically changed, yet methods for handling discipline problems have not changed with the times.

Discipline in schools will always be an issue that educators have to address, and contrary to much commentary, it is not a new issue. Many will argue that 50 years ago, children were well behaved and respected educators enough to obey them in a classroom setting. They argue that children had "the fear of God" instilled in their upbringing, and thusly, didn't have major problems. The children that did push the envelope—those inquisitive fireballs—were promptly subdued, usually with a physical reprimand. But physical reprimands are not adequate today, nor are "zero tolerance" punishments.

Researchers have found in recent years that methods focusing on changing children's behavior, rather than merely punishing them for it, are more effective in the effort to keep students in school and ensure that they graduate from high school. These discipline practices, which promote positive behavior, are more in touch with the changing social background of students.

Removing a child from school as punishment for a behavioral problem is not acceptable. Sending teenage girls to Columbia Training School, where they live in horrifically sub-standard conditions and experience emotional and physical abuse is not acceptable. Mississippians must urge our legislators to pass legislation that protects the state's children, our future leaders. Rather than taking away what they need the most—their education—legislators should support positive-based behavioral methods in schools across the state.

Contact your local legislator, and ask him or her to fight for legislation that demands Mississippi schools adopt disciplinary techniques that make removing a child from school the last resort.

Previous Comments

ID

76028

Comment

When I was in school, they had in-school suspension where troubled students had to attend class in isolation. Have they stopped doing that?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-01-30T19:44:31-06:00

ID

76029

Comment

L.W.-They still have ISS for minor offenses. You get a couple of days in there if you, say, cuss out a teacher (Right, Em? :)) This article is timely as I was JUST at a PAC hearing for one of my children begging that he not be expelled for the REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR due to him bringing a "weapon" to school. He was seven...the weapon was an antique decorative letter opener. He thought it was "cool". He wanted to show his friends. He is in the first grade, on the honor roll, and has no previous behavior incidents in school. Thank the Lord they decided NOT to expell him. In part because I begged, wrote letters, and attended hearings. I also have a very involved parent andI know how to navigate the educational system. One of the things I had to stress is that the youth is in a prospective adoptive home...and if he was expelled from school for the year, he might "blow" his placement as he must attend public school. Like many children, he doesn't have the option of being pulled out and placed in private school. I have NO IDEA how public school systems get away with expelling children for entire school years with no options for education during that time. This doesn't mean an automatic placement in an alternative school, etc. They just kick them out and don't give a fart. Unfortunately, with the public school system in Jackson, due to lack of funds...one must most often fight for months just to get a special education ruling for a child. In fact, one must fight for almost ANY kind of special supportive service for a child. Its ridiculous.

Author

Lori G

Date

2008-01-31T07:36:12-06:00

ID

76030

Comment

Honey, I'll have to get on this one when I have time and a computer. As a teacher, I do support more behavioral support from higher up rather than a pay raise (and I'm BROKE!) I need more information about our alternative school. We do have ISS. I will say it's for much higher offenses than cussing ;) We as teachers do take a beating everyday from the kids who really don't know better, on top of that we spend hours at home working and hours after school doing extra-curriculars (ask my friends I used to see! They will vouch for that as well.) I agree that removing them to a prison type environment or putting them on the streets is NOT the answer, but neither is limited accountability for admins and above. Believe me, I put up with a LOT everyday to keep children here. I'll catch you later. But let me say one thing, and it's front on my mind. I spent my planning period yesterday taking a beating from administration on how we can't control the students. I practice behavioral modification in my classroom with positive reinforcement, so when I refer a student it's my LAST resort. I'm fairly certain that many if not most teachers would enjoy more administrative support.

Author

emilyb

Date

2008-01-31T08:10:24-06:00

ID

76031

Comment

Oh, and "dissappearing" referrels are very common. In most schools. Talked about this last night with a friend who taught in Madison.

Author

emilyb

Date

2008-01-31T08:11:13-06:00

ID

76032

Comment

Okay, two questions: 1. What are the stats on Columbia? How many are there? And how do they get there? What area of our state are these kids coming from? (ie...diverse schools? um, suburban schools?) It's RARE for an expulsion to happen in my experience. That goes before a board, and heavy documentation is required. I'm also looking forward to Lori weighing in on how many kids are just given up on by parents. 2. What legislation is on the table now regarding public schools and behavior? I KNOW something is out there because it's getting trickled down to the teachers. At the end of the day, my number one concern is the safety of my students. Period. They have to feel safe. It's my number one as a parent and a teacher. You have to remember I have teenagers, so my perspective is not that of "expelled for bringing mom's cool knife."

Author

emilyb

Date

2008-01-31T09:03:01-06:00

ID

76033

Comment

Em-From my experiences with the youth court system, kids get sent to Columbia after having several charges brought against them (i.e. domestic violence, incorrigible, assault). The "sentence" of Columbia is given to them by the youth court judge. Although, when I did crisis work, I had parents calling all the time asking how to 'sign their kid up'. You can't do that. They are then given a specific amount of time they are to stay in Columbia. Although, I also know that one of the cases listed in the foster care suit was about a child in foster care left at Training School for months on end by his social worker (who did not visit) and the child had no charges. I'm not sure how that happened. But, I do know they are paying the price for it now. I'm about to head out to the meeting at the Capital regarding the settlement of the DHS lawsuit. If I hear anything cool I'll let you know.

Author

Lori G

Date

2008-01-31T12:31:02-06:00

ID

76034

Comment

Shameless bumped. Is this something lumped in the teacher pay raise??

Author

emilyb

Date

2008-02-01T09:10:32-06:00

ID

76035

Comment

No. And they didn't even get to it. The presentation before it ran long so they rescheduled. Although, I did learn something interesting about the state of MS Trauma Care system. Basically, don't get in a wreck in this state unless you are close to UMC...EVER. Anyway, I'm more interested in the dirty joke Steve Holland allowed to be told to "open" the meeting that was both WAY innappropriate for "professional" company and much more innappropriate for MIXED professional company, if you get my drift. I'm writing about it. It horrified me. It also gives you a lovely glimpse into the mind of the white males holding our futures in their hands. Now, back to the children.

Author

Lori G

Date

2008-02-01T09:23:28-06:00

ID

76036

Comment

I teach high school and rarely have to send a kid to the office, but it happens sometimes. The students I have seen that are constantly disruptive or disrespectful usually have either serious family and personal issues that are not being resolved OR they have behavioral disorders, emotional disorders, mental illness, or learning disabilities that are undiagnosed and/or untreated. This state has few resources to help the mentally ill, especially if they are children, and we all know how well the state takes care of abused and neglected kids. Fixing those problems might go along way toward correcting many discipline problems at school. An alternative school setting is NOT a bad thing for students who constantly disrupt classes or stay in serious trouble. Expulsion means students are given a placement in alternative school, so they are still able to get an education, and so is everyone else! Teachers and students should not be constantly subjected to disruption, disrespect, or threats to a safe and orderly school. When no other method works to correct behavior problems, then alternative school should be there as the last resort. Alternative schools should of course always remain under close scrutiny as far as the quality of their services, and of course should also offer services to help students deal with the problems that got them placed in alternative school in the first place. I certainly hope those who are advocating keeping students in school are not discounting the use of effective alternative schools.

Author

lls32001

Date

2008-02-01T10:49:13-06:00

ID

76037

Comment

This is an informative link I just happened to have run across before I saw this discussion: .

Author

FreeClif

Date

2008-02-06T17:26:01-06:00