INGA BARKS: It's a disservice to kick out students, teachers hastily
| Friday, Feb 26 2010 02:00 PM
Last Updated Friday, Feb 26 2010 02:00 PM
A recent article in The Californian, "Teachers challenge fairness of administrative leave policies," highlighted the concerns of Bakersfield City School District teachers who have been removed from the classroom, perhaps hastily, based on mere accusations or the misperceptions of students.
According to one teacher, these actions are often reported to the public, tarnishing reputations and leaving staff devastated and helpless to defend themselves.
I have sympathy for teachers and believe they're right on this. My policy on radio is to never mention the names of authority figures accused of a crime until they've had their day in court. It's just too hard to put the genie back in the bottle once the court of public opinion has condemned the accused.
But as a parent, a daughter and sister of teachers, and a former special education aide myself, I'm torn. While I oppose the willy nilly removal of teachers from the classroom based on mere accusation, I also don't know if I would want my child in the classroom of a teacher who's been accused of misconduct and is allowed to remain. Even if they're exonerated, how would I know for sure that my child is safe?
But teachers aren't the only ones who fall prey to these post-Columbine/politically correct/zero-tolerance/overly litigious/knee-jerk policies. Consider another recent article in The Californian, "School suspensions: Are they effective?," in which a parent and various experts question the success of suspensions.
The first grader highlighted in the article was suspended from his Panama-Buena Vista Union School District school for throwing a pencil lead at another student. A pencil lead! Yes, he had priors -- not listening to teachers, kicking other students.
Still, the suspension removed a child from the classroom, I think hastily, and based only on the perception of the teacher.
I've witnessed how this punitive treatment can leave students and parents feeling tarnished and helpless. Even if the incident is found to be a mistake or a misunderstanding, how do you put the genie back in the bottle? This first grader will have a record that follows him. What teacher or principal wants a student who has been accused of misconduct? Even if the child is exonerated, how would they know for sure that their class is safe?
Adults love to harken back to the days on the playground, and how our parents would have tanned our hides if we got in trouble. I myself was a perfect student who got sent to the office for threatening a teacher in the 7th grade. I didn't really threaten the teacher even though that's what the referral said. I was, however, disrespectful.
My punishment? I sat in the office for an hour and got a scolding from the principal. Today such words aren't just a threat, but reason to call the police! I've seen it happen!
Under post-Columbine zero-tolerance policies, teachers are armed with a new tool. If they perceive a threat, it's treated as one. Suddenly everything from pencil leads to gummy bears are weapons, if thrown by a student who is labeled a stinker.
Likewise for teachers who are accused of misconduct. Under post-sex scandal policies, every time a teacher touches a child it's a potential liability.
While the child shouldn't be excused and his behavior written off, I believe the real problem in our schools (for students AND teachers) are the rules themselves and the policies that guide reactions. Until parents, school boards and other policy makers start acknowledging how asinine it is to compare a two-inch plastic gun to an actual gun, children are going to continue to be punished as if they are potential mass murderers.
And teachers? Until parents, school boards and other policy makers start acknowledging how ridiculous it is to assume that every teacher is a molester, you will continue to be sent home for every accusation.
What's the solution? Do the impossible. Put the genie back in the bottle. Allow for logic again. Did the BCSD teacher in the article push a student? YES! Why? She was breaking up a fight! Did the child in the article throw a pencil lead, cut in line and kick another student? YES -- didn't you?
It's not the end of the world for pity's sake! Make him run some laps and get the wiggles out.
We must end the policies that put every child and teacher in a box. We must expect teachers and principals to have strategies to deal with a child, rather than ridding themselves of children who get on their nerves. As for teachers, judge each circumstance on its evidence. Is that so hard?
Not every child will shoot fellow students. A scant few will. Not every teacher will abuse kids. Some might. To punish preemptively is a disservice to both. We look like fools who need to be dragged by the ear to the corner for a while! Oh wait. Can't do that either.
-- Inga Barks, who hosts a talk show on AM 1180 KERN, is one of four conservative community columnists whose work appears here every Saturday. These are the opinions of Barks, not necessarily The Californian. You can e-mail her at ibarks@bakersfield.com. Next week: Ric Llewellyn.
