Teachers Need Clear Limits, Too Limits Needed Teachers Should Welcome A Little Oversight.

Fri., May 31, 1996

Anne Windishar/Editorial Writer

Let’s think about “think time.”

It sure sounds like a great idea. Also called “processing,” think time is a much-needed tool for teachers to deal with discipline problems by sending disruptive kids out of the classroom for their punishment. It does two things: reinforces on young minds that bad behavior has consequences and allows teachers to continue their lessons in front of a rapt, still-focused class.

So what’s the problem?

In a best-case scenario, there is none. But we all know life doesn’t unfold without complications. And think time has some potential for problems.

A few parents at Moran Prairie Elementary have raised them. And lawyer Bill Parker wrote some down for the board of Spokane Public Schools. The reaction has been swift and uncompromising. Lawyers should butt out, some say. Teachers know best about what’s needed in the classroom, others insist.

True, true. But isn’t there room for a little oversight?

The school board has found a reasonable middle ground. When confronted with Parker’s legal opinion - that too much time out of the classroom could be paramount to an illegal suspension - the board set a limit on think time. It also agreed to ask principals to monitor the number of students involved and how teachers use the discipline program.

Teachers might look at this last guideline as an insult to their qualifications. Rather than being thin-skinned about it, they should welcome the oversight. If they’re doing their job right, a second opinion will only reconfirm their decisions. Parents should be grateful for it as well; the monitoring could help to track gender and racial bias in discipline.

It’s obvious teachers need a reliable and consistent system for dealing with discipline problems. Class sizes are getting bigger, issues kids bring to school are getting tougher. Constant disruptions hurt not only the teacher’s ability to teach but the entire class’s chance to learn.

But giving teachers complete authority over a classroom assumes there are no bad teachers, or that good teachers can’t make mistakes.

All people make mistakes - kids and teachers alike. And a sensible system with some supervision is in the best interest for everyone involved. Think about it.

, DataTimes MEMO: For opposing view, see headline: Teachers up creek without a paddle

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN, EDITORIAL - From both sides

For opposing view, see headline: Teachers up creek without a paddle

The following fields overflowed: SUPCAT = COLUMN, EDITORIAL - From both sides

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