Do Discipline Policies in Todays Public Schools Foster the Common Good?
Public Agenda, May 1, 2004 A poll conducted by Public Agenda and commissioned by Common Good found that discipline in America’s public schools is falling victim to “a culture of challenge and second guessing.” Teachers told Public Agenda about a “tyranny of the few,” armed with the possibility of a lawsuit, undermining their ability to maintain order in the classroom. Among the most alarming results demonstrating how our lawsuit culture undermines school discipline: • Nearly 8 in 10 teachers (78%) said students are quick to remind them that they have rights or that their parents can sue. • Nearly half of teachers surveyed (49%) reported they have been accused of unfairly disciplining a student. • More than half of teachers (55%) said that districts backing down from assertive parents causes discipline problems in the nation’s schools. Discipline problems, the survey found, are compromising student learning and driving a substantial number of teachers out of the profession. In fact, 1 i
