Marie Phillips: Behavior can be improved humanely in schools

While schools are planning to provide a healthy school experience, in school or online, full time or part time, I encourage everyone to take a strong look at the long practiced system of assigning punishment for various infractions – all listed in The Student Handbook for any school (usually online). I have been a teacher and administrator in Washington State schools and three other states, and looking back over my years as an educator, I see clearly now what I deeply wish I would have seen throughout my career. Too often we lose students from school by trying to punish them into cooperating instead of guiding them toward success. This is a national issue, not just Washington State.

Most student handbooks list consequences when a student is tardy. Punishments include detentions, then suspensions from school. Another disciplinary section involves unexcused absences, with consequences that include in-school and out-of-school suspensions, being unable to make up work and expulsion. A student coming back to school following a suspension will be behind academically in every class. These students are often left to survive on their own. If they cannot catch up successfully, they fail classes.

We need a behavior system based on keeping students in school, not having them work their way toward expulsion, facing the difficulties that may follow, which could affect the rest of their lives.

More boys than girls receive major consequences. According to www.discriminology.org, 70% of law enforcement referrals from schools are minority students – Black, Latino, American Indian – and 68% of male prisoners in federal prison do not have a high school diploma. Homelessness, unemployment, drug abuse, mental illness, crime and prison are stronger possibilities for nongraduates. Once students get known for missing school or settling for failure, they may not see a way through their situation. And worse for these students, discrimination rears up to crush them as well.

We can figure this out. As a high school principal, I assigned a student to “On Task” for truancy. Teachers provided the work the student missed, along with at least two visits during the day for encouragement and to make sure the student knew how to do the work. The counselor met at least twice with the student for support. I also met with him/her for further support. When the student came to school the next day, class work was done and staff was supportive. For most students, one day like this was a major cure for truancy. The usual punishment system is failing too many. Counselors, administrators, teachers and staff need to focus their attention on students’ well-being and look for ways to lift students, not seek for rule infractions to punish them.

Sometimes students face horrendous issues at home that cause them to be late or absent. Students come to school with all their issues – we need to keep them attending and successful, not shut them out. Some students take a stand to reject help. Some students are amazingly hard to work with, or have undiagnosed disabilities, but we cannot give up on them. Every student shapes our nation’s future. School personnel must meet students where they are and guide them toward making choices that enrich their future.

The Community High School in Spokane has a principal and staff who focus on students succeeding. Serious disciplinary issues usually begin with a parent-student-principal conference to find a new path to success. When students have conflicts with one another, the principal brings them together to find ways they can resolve issues between them, instead of letting anger bring future unrest. If this school can take fear of punishment out of school, other schools with a punishment focus can redirect, and do this, too. I know that there are many schools that are meeting this challenge with success. There are too many schools that are stuck in the past and keep doing what has always been done: make a mistake, get punished. Students deserve better. They are out future. We all do better when they succeed.

COVID-19 will be a major issue in schools. Bringing behavior upgrades along with this healthy change will also provide a healthier, happier environment.

Marie Phillips, Ph.D, is an author and educational leader, and holds Washington state superintendent, principal and teaching K-12 certifications.