Politically Correct But Undisciplined

“The teachers are afraid of the principal; The principal is afraid of the superintendent; The superintendent is afraid of the school board; The school board is afraid of the parents; The parents are afraid of the kids; and The kids are afraid of no one!”

~ Author unknown

Another typical week, in a possibly typical school, has ended. Teachers have endured months of weekly ‘staff development’ aimed at forcing/shaping/shaming them into collective acceptance of the principal’s hero, Ed Ford. Repeatedly the teachers practiced the official Ed Ford questions: “What are you doing? What are the rules? What should you be doing?” – but very little has changed.

The usual couples cuddled, smooched, and pawed. The student handbook states that PDA (Public Display of Affection) is inappropriate, but lacking administrative support, teachers sporadically voiced a softly spoken reminder. They have been warned that criticism upsets the students, and directed to refrain from ‘yelling and telling.’ The teachers are not surprised that the rate of PDA has increased, even among the sixth graders.

The usual students loudly cussed and swore in the halls, with no regard for females, younger students, or teachers. But wait, come to think of it, many of those cursing students were girls! There was little of the old-fashioned, “dang-blast it, shucks, or hell” swearing; but lots of the really coarser language – the terms once described as ‘enough to make a sailor blush.’

This teacher filed a written complaint after being publicly proclaimed a “F – ing B – ch!” by a student who had been asked to speak more quietly in the halls. This teacher filed a second discipline report when ‘said’ student was observed walking the halls, instead of walking home. This teacher sent a third note, plus spoke with the principal, when ‘said’ student was noticed still in the building, attending science class. The student handbook states that insubordination and disrespect toward staff will bring about discipline, including suspension. However, this teacher was reminded that things are ‘different in this day and age’ and left the office knowing that nothing would be done to violate the free speech of the doctor’s son/star athlete.

The usual students were driving badly, but freely, in the parking lots. One student raced his black pickup, tires squealing, through the walkway in the teachers’ parking lot, and he actually lost his driving privileges for ten days! The hope – that a trend towards discipline might be returning to the school – soon died when the boy reinstated his own rights and freedoms by leaving the black pickup at home and driving the family van, instead. If anyone were to suggest the obvious – that a loss of driving privileges meant ‘of any vehicle’ – the boy might feel badly about failing to pull off such a stunt. Better to just let him drive the van for the ten days. At least he isn’t driving his pickup.

The usual kids walked the halls with cans of pop in their hands, in violation of the school rule against drinking or eating in the halls. Morning announcements reminded students to “put empty pop cans in the tall boxes placed throughout the building.” Subtle message: “Do not drink pop in the halls…but when you do, dispose of your cans appropriately.”

The usual bullies harassed the younger, smaller, or weaker children. One boy used a rubber band to shoot a hard, folded paper missile at a girl, hitting her in the upper lip. The girl was typically advised to ‘stay away from’ the tormentor.

The usual kids attended classes, minus pencils and homework, and the school moved close to a politically correct stance of just not expecting much from any of the students. Hurt feelings can be avoided if the unmotivated can spend their days without fear of standing in the shadow of the motivated. Low or failing grades might damage self-esteem.

But, things were different in Room 18. The door was kept closed; the window covered. PC philosophies were ‘out’; expectations and encouragement were ‘in.’ ‘Ladies and gentlemen’ were shown how to behave; how to show respect for self and others. Swearing was ‘out’; Greek and Latin vocabulary roots were ‘in.’ Room 18 felt more like a one-roomed schoolhouse; more like a home-away-from-home. Older students tenderly assisted younger students; stronger readers put weaker readers through decoding exercises. Discipline was rarely necessary because even the most hostile and defensive child mellowed and was enriched by successes brought about through traditional classroom management and instruction.

Some teachers were tempted to ask administration, “What are you doing? What are the rules in the handbook? What should you be doing – to make our school safe, productive, and decent; rather than crude, chaotic, and politically correct?”

January 13, 2003