School fining students for bad behavior

epopp85 · February 2012

Found this article this morning. I think it's awesome and is a great way to instill discipline in kids today. The rules seem fair to me and I wouldn't have any problem sending my children there.

What do you ladies think?

https://news.yahoo.com/chicago-school-draws-scrutiny-over-student-fines-202924231.html

dpeugh85 · February 2012

This was featured on CNN last week. For me, it boils down to people choosing to send their children there. If you don't like it, send them to a different school. It's basic manners and respect. Don't be late, don't sleep in class, etc. Also, they will work with you if you're not able to afford the fines.

authorofdreamz · February 2012

I think it's ridiculous. $5 for an untied shoelace or an unbuttoned shirt? Things that don't even need to be punished since they aren't affecting people's ability to learn and happen all the time on accident. And especially low-income kids, $5 could be someone's lunch money for a couple of weeks. I would never send my children there.

I think high schoolers are already over-punished getting detentions left and right for the stupidest things. We expect them to act almost like adults and yet we treat them like toddlers. I think high schoolers should be treated more like college kids and disciplined for only serious infractions and this school just took it to a whole new level of ridiculousness.

epopp85 · February 2012

authorofdreamz:

I think it's ridiculous. $5 for an untied shoelace or an unbuttoned shirt? Things that don't even need to be punished since they aren't affecting people's ability to learn and happen all the time on accident. And especially low-income kids, $5 could be someone's lunch money for a couple of weeks. I would never send my children there.

I think high schoolers are already over-punished getting detentions left and right for the stupidest things. We expect them to act almost like adults and yet we treat them like toddlers. I think high schoolers should be treated more like college kids and disciplined for only serious infractions and this school just took it to a whole new level of ridiculousness.

If you read down towards the bottom, it says they only get fined if they build up four demerits in a two week period. I don't think that is unreasonable. Plus, they make the choice to attend there since it's a charter school. If you can't afford the fines, why would you send your children there and not fix their behavior?

We had similar rules when I was in FFA and our teachers expected a lot of out of us. We did not get monitarily fined, but we would get detention, left out of activities, or lose our rights to participate in shows and events for things like wardrobe infractions. We were all very well behaved and no one complained. Everyone went in with the knowledge of what to expect and behaved accordingly.

smilelari · February 2012

I think it's a great system as long as the rules are clear and applied consistently.

authorofdreamz · February 2012

Estwd2:
I disagree. There was a quote in the article about how they sweat the small stuff so they didn't have to sweat the big stuff. I think there's a lot of truth in that. Letting kids (and they are kids) get away with a bunch of small stuff is a slippery slope. Plus I agree with PP. It's a charter school. If you don't agree with the policies of the school or this form of discipline does not work for your child (and I'm sure it doesn't work on everyone), then go elsewhere.

Also, I've worked as both a toddler teacher at a daycare and a high school teacher. I used to joke that the only difference between them was that the high schoolers didn't wear diapers, but there's a lot of truth behind that joke.

Because untied shoes definitely lead to drugs and murder. And their not really kids. They are 5 years max from being an adult and should be treated as such. I don't know about there but here at least charter school does not necessarily mean they choose the go there. I went to a Charter school but it was also my neighborhood school if I had wanted to go somewhere else it would have had to be a very expensive private school.

I think most of that is because of how they are treated. So many kids drop out of college in the first year or two because they are babied their whole lives and then expected to become an adult practically overnight and have no idea how.

Like I said I could understand if it was for something serious the way there are fines for traffic violations or crimes but not for something like having your shoes untied, chewing gum, or using a cell-phone.

Jenny952 · February 2012

I went to a private HS where we had a lot of rules, including dress code (shirt tucked in, belt, dress shoes, ties for the boys), no gum, no drink or food in class, etc. We had a teacher who stood outside his classroom after lunch and write up detentions. It was orderly and everyone looked put together and most students learned to be respectful. I admit, I was a little shocked when I went to college at how sloppy people looked, the gum chewing and eating was beyond obnoxious and people showed up late. Even now in a professional workplace I see these same behaviors that I learned when I was 14, like chewing gum in a meeting or showing up late.

I don't know if fining is appropriate but I like how they are instilling some discipline and respect in their students.

knottie198f1ac43570b6c2 · February 2012

All I am saying is that the only people getting punished here are the parents. You know that that money is coming straight out of their pockets.

I would betcha good money that the kids that are receiving the fines do not have to work, so I can't imagine what it teaches them.

alyss0nl · February 2012

epopp85:
authorofdreamz:

I think it's ridiculous. $5 for an untied shoelace or an unbuttoned shirt? Things that don't even need to be punished since they aren't affecting people's ability to learn and happen all the time on accident. And especially low-income kids, $5 could be someone's lunch money for a couple of weeks. I would never send my children there.

I think high schoolers are already over-punished getting detentions left and right for the stupidest things. We expect them to act almost like adults and yet we treat them like toddlers. I think high schoolers should be treated more like college kids and disciplined for only serious infractions and this school just took it to a whole new level of ridiculousness.

If you read down towards the bottom, it says they only get fined if they build up four demerits in a two week period. I don't think that is unreasonable. Plus, they make the choice to attend there since it's a charter school. If you can't afford the fines, why would you send your children there and not fix their behavior?

We had similar rules when I was in FFA and our teachers expected a lot of out of us. We did not get monitarily fined, but we would get detention, left out of activities, or lose our rights to participate in shows and events for things like wardrobe infractions. We were all very well behaved and no one complained. Everyone went in with the knowledge of what to expect and behaved accordingly.

This school is similar to the one I teach at. I work at a school for children who have severe discipline and emotional and mental issues. They are expected to stand straight in line, not talk out, always raise their hands, etc. If they do not reach these expectations, then they lose their privileges the following day. Most of our students are incredibly well-behaved because the system works. Kids today have zero respect for their teachers, which in turn leads to bad behaviors.

honeybee #1 · February 2012

desine77:

All I am saying is that the only people getting punished here are the parents. You know that that money is coming straight out of their pockets.

I would betcha good money that the kids that are receiving the fines do not have to work, so I can't imagine what it teaches them.

I agree with this. It's an excellent concept if they find a way to actually make the kids resposible for it.

smilelari · February 2012

honeybee #1:
desine77:

All I am saying is that the only people getting punished here are the parents. You know that that money is coming straight out of their pockets.

I would betcha good money that the kids that are receiving the fines do not have to work, so I can't imagine what it teaches them.
I agree with this. It's an excellent concept if they find a way to actually make the kids resposible for it.

Actually I like that it's the parents that this gets turned over to. That keeps them in the loop. It's then the parent's responsibility to make sure that the child is held accountable, which is exactly how it should be. Kid owes the school $5? Well the parent can either hand the kid $5 or make the kid earn the $5

Want a personalized experience?

School fining students for bad behavior

Re: School fining students for bad behavior

Choose Another Board

Search Boards