Page 44 - EdViewptsSpring2020

Reversing the Discipline Cycle

and Improving School Climate

By Dr. Michael S. Gaskell, Principal, Hammarskjold Middle School in East
Brunswick

Destructive discipline No running, spitting, cursing was some safely, be respectful to others, and use
cycles can be overturned, of the language contained in our code kind words.” Additionally, consequences
of conduct. Alongside these infractions
were intentionally broadened for context.
and it’s worth sharing how. were a menu of discipline procedures. Zero tolerance is effective at forcing
This strategy is a play on restorative Spitting equaled three days detention compliance but not at building relations,
justice, yet with a twist. The goal is to first offense, in school suspension nor long term solutions.
tackle head on the disaffected child, second offense and so on. Here was Suspension creates a harmful path for
lost in the fray of being a persistent the trouble, what middle school aged at-risk children, one that leads to further
inconvenience. It’s called Restorative child reading this wouldn’t be tempted? discipline, which further reinforces the
Service and this program can operate I dare you?!? disaffected nature of such children.
as a standalone, or as part of a larger Communicating expectations in the Reversing this by showing a caring
positive behavior support system at negative and promoting the misbehavior adult can offer an alternative to suspen-
your school. Here are some numbers by listing it alongside the consequence sion has a powerful effect. This effect,
to show you how it worked at my are problematic for several reasons, if properly implemented, can be shifted
school: Our school’s suspension rate not the least of which is the challenge in the right direction, a slight edge that
has plummeted from 6.4% to 1.5% a school authority is presenting, as if like a ship on the sea begins to see
of the students. That’s a fourfold to say, “oh yeah, I dare you!” A new vast changes in its trajectory. If we can
decrease! The bullying rate has also educator to the school remembers a offer such an option, with such tremen-
dropped by 70%. child running and when he told the dous success, and show our faculty
This transformation did not happen child to slow down, the child said, “I that this kind of approach has a longer
overnight. Cultural shifts take time, and wasn’t running!” Just deny, that was term, better sustained impact on both
this school was no exception. Here, the the mantra. Our school changed the children and school culture, we see
code of conduct read like a penal code: language the next year. This included nothing less than a win-win.
simple but powerful shifts such as, “walk

Educational Viewpoints -42- Spring 2020