In response to escalating school violence, PBS reported in May that several US states are considering reinstating “zero tolerance” policies, i.e. suspensions and expulsions. Some teachers’ unions support the drastic measures. Others believe that suspensions and expulsions should only be used as a last resort for extremely serious offenses, such as violent acts that threaten the lives of students.
However, according to a 2021 RAND survey, only 12% of 1,080 public school principals across the US believe that suspension and expulsion help students reflect or learn from misbehavior.
Countries around the world apply various positive disciplinary measures.
Although schools around the world apply many different positive disciplinary measures, there are some common points in the implementation. Thanh Nien Newspaper summarizes some positive disciplinary measures:
- Community service activities: The school coordinates with parents and local authorities to let students participate in community activities.
- Additional assignments: Students are assigned to write self-assessment essays related to topics such as emotional and behavioral control. Students are encouraged to write about their feelings and thoughts, not forced to write self-criticism.
- Peer Counseling: Some students are trained to become peer counselors and mediators to support students who violate rules.
- Emotional management training: Schools organize individual psychological counseling hours (peer or teacher counselors) for students/groups of students who violate the law.
- Behavioral commitment form: Students sign a behavioral contract with teachers, which lists the desired behaviors, such as no insulting or threatening words to friends. Students and teachers agree on the form of discipline.
- Personal change plan: Teachers guide students to create a plan to change their behavior after violations, clearly stating the necessary activities to help students develop themselves such as reading more books, participating in peer counseling, support from a psychological counselor, etc.
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