Discipline and Justice in Education

Brief history
o 1980s
Disciplinary policies enforced to inhibit weapon usage
in schools
o 1994
Gun-free schools act and violent crime control and
law enforcement act
o 1994-present
More restrictive laws on weapons and other offenses
Zero Tolerance
o Pg 318
Position One: The Necessity
o Negative behavior deserves consequences
Disrespect, disruption, and disorder
Teachers need an out
Protection for other students
o Stats dont lie
17% report for student abuse to teachers
In urban schools, 30% of students report verbal and
other forms of abuse to teachers
o 5 Levels of Consequences
One: Insubordinate behavior
Smoking
Two: Disorderly disruptive behavior
Swearing
Three: Seriously disruptive or dangerous behavior
Stealing
Four: Dangerous and violent behavior
Illegal drugs
Five: Seriously dangerous or violent behavior
Possession or use of weapon
o Jeremy Benthams Theory of Rational Choice:
Belief: People act according to the cost and benefits
of a decision
Key: remain consistent with consequences
3 step solution:
Goal: deterrent
Need: punishment
Result: they will make better choices
o Pros:
Maintaining order
Less time disciplining
 Crime prevention
Protection for students
Parents have assurance of punishment if illegal
activity occurs
o Cons: One size does not fit all
o Gives teachers less control
o Discrimination
Racial and special neeeds
o Scaring tactics are not positive
o Suspension is the lack of learning and seek relationships
Position Two: Discretionary Discipline Policies
o Democratic discipline:
Creating teachable moments
Rebuking wrong behavior and teaching appropriate
behavior
Restorative justice
Teacher punishes case by case
Desire change as the end result
o Pros:
Mutual respect between student and authority figure
Less rigid than zero tolerance
o Cons:
Discrimination to minorities and the disabled is not
the underlying problem
Throwing out zero tolerance policies altogether has a
negative effect
o