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I do not believe any 'whacking' should be done in public schools. There are a lot of more embarrassing and productive ways to discipline school children besides being violent.

This LTE writer is quite hilarious. "Oh, the good old days"---sounds like neocon whining and moaning. Doesn't mention the fact that his days were spent in a segregated schoolhouse etc.etc....but wants us to believe he could straighten out the world. What a joke.

Paul, like many others, has selective memory about the "good old days". He also fails to realize that the kids of today are not the same as those kids of bygone days. Our society has changed. We have to find a way to help kids who are seemingly damaged beyond repair. I don't have a solution (if I did I would be too rich to have time to blog), but I do know times and people have changed.

Also know how much good work many guidance counselors do. In spite of the mountains of paperwork they have to deal with, they are a God send to some kids and parents.

Carol,

I agree that kids today are different than in bygone days, but to what do you attribute that? For one thing, they are never told "no" by parents, and many of them no longer have any respect for authority, of any kind. The letter writer is correct in one aspect...a greater discipline would work wonders for the educational process.

Demon, could you try just occasionally to be constructive in your comments. You have no idea what type of school Mr. Watson grew-up in, segregated or not. Here's a flash for you, Demon..there were integrated schools in the 1940's and 1950's. And, segregation of schools has nothing to do with his comments anyway. You just intend to demean others by calling them racists when you have no logic to use. Where did you learn to hate so much, from Michael Richards? You musr really must be a miserable person.

ORR, I agree that lack of discipline from an early age is the cause of many of the schools' problems. It is really hard for the schools to undo a way of behaving which has been tolerated for years by parents who don't care or don't have a clue. Our current superintendent's mantra...keep them in school ragardless of their behavior or grades...is one of Guilford County's problems.

Several people made good comments about the lack of discipline that so many children and teenagers have today. I agree with nitpicker that corporal punishment does not belong in schools at all. Unfortunately, the "keep [students] in school regardless of behavior or grades" thinking that Carol is a philosophy of the US Department of Education. They penalize schools and school systems with low graduaion rates. There's also pressure to "mainstream" special needs or "at-risk" students. It isn't all Terry Grier's fault.

Another problem with suspension/expulsion as a form of discipline is that it is a reward, not a punishment for many students. In-school suspension is better, but has the disadvantage of not removing problem students from the school. The Middle College program has helped some as well by actually stimulating the brains of bright but troubled high school students.

I think that for the students with the worst behavioral problems (short of being in juvenile detention) that a special school with these at-risk students should be established. And yes, this school should have much stricter discipline than the ordinary schools can provide: uniforms or a very strict dress code, no student cars on campus (at the high school level, of course), no vending machines, required physical education for all students consisting largely of laps and calisthenics (basketball only as a reward for good behavior), even asking parents to attend classes with their children if possible.

Such a school would be deemed undesirable by most students, so there's incentive to clean up their acts. It also would provide the structure that many of these students really need and don't get at home or a regular school. Uniforms would take away some gang affiliation signals. The physical education would help with the hyperactivity many students that act out have. And embarrassment over parents in class is a powerful motivation for good behavior.

One caveat is that the teachers should only embarrass or humiliate students for actions the student can control. Many at-risk students do have ADHD or learning disabilities and they should learn coping strategies instead of being blamed for things they really can't (not won't) change themselves.

Will this ever happen? Probably not exactly as I described it. The charter schools we saw so many of a few years ago tried to implement some of these alternative strategies but didn't have the money to continue. But talking about alternative strategies is the first step.

Oak,
You still telling everyone that "Richard Perl" outed Valerie Plame???? HA! HAA!

For the record: it was Richard Armitage.

Oak, Run On!

DD, pleeeze stay on topic and stop attacking others. That should be beneath you.

Agree with most you say BeadBaby. Also do not think a school of this sort will happen. We just open another "academy". By the way, suggest everyone look at the number of high school principals we now have. Unbelievable. Every Academy and special school has its own principal.. some with as few as 90 kids. They also have their own guidance counselor. Wonder why we need more money???

great post, beadbaby. Honorable mention to Carol and ORR! :) Happy Monday!