Pubdate: Mon, 27 Aug 2001
Source: Quad-City Times (IA)
Section: Opinion, Pg A6, Below the fold
Copyright: 2001 Quad-City Times
Contact:  http://www.qctimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857
Author: Sue Welty, Davenport, Iowa

Today's Guest Column

TEACHERS, STUDENTS SUFFER FROM DECLINE OF DISCIPLINE

Your Aug. 19 story ("Discipline plan ready for school") stated that one of 
the changes in our school district policy is "students who are caught with 
or using drugs or drug paraphernalia on school grounds for a second time 
will receive an out-of-school suspension. They must go before an 
administrative council that will determine whether to place the student in 
an alternative program or expel them."

Excuse me? Aren't our schools "drug-free zones"?

I have understood a drug-free zone to be an area where there is zero 
tolerance for drug possession, drug use or drug sales. What do they mean a 
"second time"? If an adult is caught on school grounds or the areas 
surrounding a school, are they not arrested and taken off to jail? Do they 
get a second chance?

I don't think so! Nor should they.

Why then, should a student get a second chance? If we are going to stop 
this type of activity, we must not give license for a second chance to 
occur. We must nip the problem in the bud. Suspend or expel immediately.

As with other problems such as bullying, verbal assault and physical 
assault, if we are going to take a stand, it has to be with the first 
occurrence. History proves that we must be tough from the onset to effect 
the desired changes.

We constantly address the problem of not enough teachers. One of the causes 
for the exodus of good teachers and the inability to obtain new teachers is 
that college students no longer see the profession as an attractive one. 
The administration's backup is poor because the rules and policies are not 
strict enough, and the teachers spend more time baby-sitting the students 
and breaking up fights than they do teaching.

The reputation Iowa has had for many years as being a "State of Minds" and 
a "Place to Grow" has been tarnished by the lack of discipline used in our 
schools. Let's not sit idly by and watch things deteriorate any further. 
Let's stop all the talking and start doing something about these problems.

If the punishment fits the crime the first time around, there would be no 
need for addressing a second offense.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Beth