7 School Discipline Myths and How to Hack Them
School discipline is a complex issue, and there are many myths that surround it. These myths can lead to ineffective discipline practices that can actually harm students. In this article, we will explore 7 of the most common school discipline myths and how to hack them.
Myth #1: Suspension and expulsion are effective ways to deter misbehavior.
Fact: Suspension and expulsion are not effective ways to deter misbehavior. In fact, they can actually make the problem worse. Students who are suspended or expelled are more likely to drop out of school, get involved in crime, and experience mental health problems. We need to keep our students in school so they can continue to learn and grow effectively.
Hack: Instead of suspending or expelling students, schools should focus on using positive discipline strategies. Positive discipline focuses on teaching students how to make better choices and solve problems. It also helps to build relationships between students and staff, which can help to prevent misbehavior in the first place.
Myth #2: All students need the same discipline.
Fact: Not all students respond to discipline in the same way. Some students need more structure and support, while others need more autonomy and freedom. Schools should tailor their discipline practices to meet the individual needs of each student.
Hack: Schools can use a variety of discipline strategies, such as positive reinforcement, restorative justice, and behavior contracts. The best approach will vary depending on the specific needs of the student and the situation. Approach each disciplinary infraction differently based on the context of the situation and the people involved.
Myth #3: Students who misbehave are just bad kids.
Fact: Misbehavior is often a sign of a deeper problem. Students who misbehave may be struggling with academic problems, social-emotional challenges, or trauma. It is important to look for the underlying causes of misbehavior and address them in order to help students succeed. There are no bad kids, just bad choices.
Hack: Schools should have a system in place for identifying and addressing the underlying causes of misbehavior. This may include providing students with academic support, counseling, or other services. When addressing an issue, find the reasoning behind a student's actions before disciplining them.
Myth #4: Discipline should be handled solely by teachers and administrators.
Fact: Schools should have a team of professionals who are responsible for handling discipline problems. This team should include teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and social workers. This team can work together to develop a comprehensive discipline plan that meets the needs of each individual student.
Hack: Recognize that discipline is a collective effort involving teachers, administrators, students, parents, and staff members. Everyone affected by a student's actions should be involved in the discipline process. Encourage student voice and participation in the decision-making processes. Engage parents and guardians in restorative practices and provide training and support to foster a culture of empathy and responsibility.
Myth #5: Discipline should be about punishment.
Fact: Discipline should not be about punishment. When the sole purpose of discipling a student is punishing them, students don't recognize how their actions affected others; instead, all they see is the frustration of their superiors and learn how to get away with their behavior. Discipling should be about teaching students how to make better choices and solve problems. Punishment may be necessary in some cases, but it should not be the primary goal of discipline.
Hack: Discipline should be about repairing the harm caused by a student's actions and involve restorative actions. Taking responsibility for behavior is the foundation of every restorative action. For example, if a student throws food in the lunchroom, he or she could have a restorative action of cleaning the lunchroom after school.
Myth #6: Students who are not disciplined will never learn.
Fact: Students can learn without being disciplined. When students are constantly being disciplined they learn to hate school and learning. All students learn from punitive discipline is that their actions have consequences and how to avoid these consequences. Students' actions change when their discipline involves understanding how their actions have affected others.
Hack: Schools should focus on using positive discipline strategies to teach students. When going to disciplining a student, instead of yelling or handing out a punishment, help them to understand why what they did was wrong and how it affected their peers. When students are more aware of how their actions affect others, they will learn from their mistakes.
Myth #7: Students who misbehave are not capable of learning.
Fact: Students who misbehave are just as capable of learning as any other student. Students who misbehave often have a lot of energy and creativity, but just misuse it. They just need to be taught how to channel their energy in a positive way.
Hack: When a student misbehaves, it is important to first try to understand why they are behaving that way. Once you understand the underlying issue, you can start to develop a plan to help the student learn. This plan may involve providing the student with support, teaching them coping skills, or connecting them with resources in the community.
By understanding these myths, we can start to develop more effective and humane ways to discipline students. Learn how to reshape discipline practices using restorative practices in Hacking School Discipline today.
