I was watching a news report this morning about how the behaviors of the students are catching the attention of the community. The district officials met with parents last night to address concerns. The parents were looking for changes– changes in administration, changes in teachers, and changes in programs. They were there to hold the district accountable for the bad behavior of the students, which included walking out of classes, cussing at teachers and others, bullying each other, and disrupting the educational process.

The district personnel explained that the problem stems from a larger population because of the combining of two smaller schools, as well as the lack of training for the substitute teachers. The district agreed to replace the principal and assistant principal, and agreed to add an additional security monitor and school counselor for the next school year. Problem solved, right?

Well, I have a few questions for those parents. When looking at the lack of respect for authority, peers, and the educational system, where did this lack of value come from? Where is the responsibility of the parents? Where is the responsibility of the students? In all my years of being a teacher and then a school counselor, I have learned one thing: kids are not robots. They are not widgets on a stick that can be programed by the educational system to value their educational opportunities.

So what is the magic bullet for this situation? Sadly, there isn’t one. I do know, though, that if those parents don’t take some responsibility for the training of their own children, nothing is going to change. They need to work together with the school personnel. They need to collaborate and support what is being accomplished.

Here’s the thing: they can’t require less and less disciplinary actions, run to the rescue every time their kids get into trouble, and then expect that the system will solve the bad behaviors that pop up when the students know who is really in control. You can’t have it both ways.

One of my teacher friends was told that she needed to soften her voice and concentrate on building friendships with her sixth graders, rather than trying to control the class with her loud voice. She was told that she was too intimidating for the students. OK. I am all for building relationships, and I don’t believe in screaming at kids, but I have worked with this teacher, and screaming is not her style. She does quite a bit to build rapport with her students, but she doesn’t need a bunch of 12 year old friends. She needs a classroom that is efficient and conducive to learning.

Well, we’ll see how this all works out. I hope that I am wrong and something magic takes over. I just don’t see it happening like that.

I would like to hear your take on this situation. What have you seen work or not work? Merry Christmas!