What are the components of a good discipline policy?

Waht works?
- positive reinforcement
- clearly stated rules
- good communication
- school-wide consistency
- what else????

Please add to this list!

Another question -
We can make a generic list such as the one above, but what are the specific components to achieving success? How do we get all school participants to take leadership and responsibility for school discipline?

Teacher Consistency

One thing I've been struggling with is teacher consistency when it comes to classroom discipline. From my perspective, principals make it clear at the beginning of the school year that we treachers are expected to enforce school rules, yet as the year goes on, it is clear that some teachers are doing it and others are not. So if any of us were to be principal what should we do? Should we make the teacher review process include things like keeping track of classroom discipline issues? Should the principal or level 2 disciplinarians be periodically checking tardy logs to make sure teachers are keeping track of those sorts of things? Should they be spot checking that missed lunch detentions are followed up with a reassignment or a trip to in-school suspension? What do you think a principal should do if they notice that teachers aren't being consistent?

Major/minor Offenses - let's define them

Can we make a list of student discipline issues/offenses that are considered major? Do these change when in elementary, middle or high schools?
Lets start a list -

[I once had a student throw a chair toward another student (the chair went out the window and the high-school student went to court).]

Student Input: Why Don't We Seek It?

While looking through Virginia's discipline policies I looked through a list of suggested members of a "stakeholders’ committee to discuss the management of student behavior". On the list was students. I KNOW that in my school we do not seek student input and it made me wonder why. Doing various activities in class I know that my more responsible students have very valid and interesting thoughts on student discipline. Even the students that aren't as responsible tend to have similar thoughts. So why don't we listen to them? Do you think students should have a say when it comes to the management of student behavior? Do you think they would be more likely to follow the rules if they helped create them?

Discipline: Art or Science?

Do you think student discipline is an art or a science? or both? explain.

How can you tell at your current school, when the students are not being disciplined?

We all have our own philosophies and opinions about how students need to be disciplined for inappropriate behavior. I have seen teachers frustrated because the students have no fear to go to the office to see the principal. I have witnessed students stating that "I can do whatever I want because the Principal won't do anything to me." I think this presents a huge problem between the principal, teachers and students. If students know they can get away with something, they will keep doing it. Bottom line, I want the students to be prepared for reality. We all know that in the "real world" there are consequences for not following the rules. If we don't teach them that now, we are simply setting them up for failure in the future.

Sample School Discipline Plan

From:
Carman Elementary School
Carman, Manitoba
Canada R0G 0J0

Here is a sample of a school discipline plan.

http://www.cici.mb.ca/carmanel/discipline.htm

On their site, you can also find their Behavior Policy and Code of Conduct. It is interesting to see that their plan also includes snow balls!! Canada!

A school discipline plan is telling and important for school success. It fosters transparency, promotes academic success as well as provides the format for a safe environment. A good plan also creates a feeling of comfort, mutual respect and responsibilities.

Questions - What do you think is missing from this plan? What is confusing or needs to be clarified? Is it possible to have a standard discipline plan, or does it need to be customized?

Welcome!

Hello teachers, adminstrators and others interested in student discipline. This blog is a space where you can share advice, strategies and thoughts on student discipline. You can, of course, comment to any of the posts on the site. If you want to be a regular poster on this blog please e-mail the blog administrator at gill_family@verizon.net and request to be added as a contributor. We look forward to reading all of your comments!