Discipline seems to be a problem in schools nationwide. But a deputy prosecutor singles out the Muncie Community School Corp.:
MUNCIE -- A dozen weeks after a student's report that she had been raped in a Central High School bathroom prompted police investigations -- both of the girl's claim and the response to it by Central administrators -- a Delaware County deputy prosecutor says he's been given a "good glimpse" into the Muncie Community School Corp.
"And I didn't necessarily like what I saw," said Eric Hoffman, who is weighing whether the failure by Central administrators to notify police immediately after the rape report warrants a grand jury probe.
In an e-mail exchange and interviews with The Star Press, Hoffman said that over the past 2-3 years, discipline in the school system has been "lacking or completely non-existent."
"A few examples include out-of-control and violent fights and students actually standing up and telling teachers to f--- off," the deputy prosecutor said. "What has significantly compounded this chaos is the unwritten policy or at least the desire by the administration to handle these matters in-house without the intervention and help from police officers," including those employed as school security guards.
If it's really that bad there, I don't see how schools can deliver on their basic mission, let alone provide anything even resembling a quality education. I know we've had a problem or two in Fort Wayne, but Muncie seems to make us look outstanding by comparison.
Comments
I don't know that Fort Wayne is all that much better than Muncie.
Indiana doesn't seem to have a misprison statute, but licensed caregivers are mandated to report abuse of minors and others who are legally deemed to be incapable of caring for themselves. There's no option to delay reporting claims of abuse. They must be reported immediately, even if they seem to be fabricated.
However, Huffman seems to think that standing up and telling a teacher to f--- off is worse than violence. Standing up and yelling is a violation of classroom decorum, but a statute, even one mandating school attendance, cannot legally strip citizens of their constitutional rights.
When I was in high school, there were a number of teachers that would engage in humiliation of students. Bullying is as unacceptable by teachers as it is by fellow students, and I wish I had stood up and told the teachers that if they didn't start behaving in an acceptable manner, they would face the consequences.
Would I have used the f-bomb? Probably not, but I am (and was) capable of uttering an oath, entirely in words that are individually acceptable in Sunday School, that would make a Marine drill sergeant blush. Those less gifted need to use what skills they do have.
Man, it's been a long time since I've checked this blog! I teach in central Mississippi, and I gotta tell you, it's bad all over. The problem is school districts that punish administrators for having high suspension and expulsion rates. The result is kids that have no right being in a school destroying any chance for learning. I've personally known teachers who have been hit, punched, screamed at, had their clothing ripped, you name it. That's not even to mention what the kids do to each other. The school's response? MAYBE in-school suspension. Usually, the problem just "disappears." I'm all for accountability measures, but if districts and states don't work to help schools out of their discipline emergencies constructively, the result will be a lot more school districts up there where y'all are facing the crisis-level issues we have down here. I'm praying you'll make the right choices.
Leo:
I have to stand with Mike B here...
Ther ARE kids that should NOT be "mainstreamed" along with the good kids that really WANT to learn.
When you and I were in school (I miss those wax tablets and styluses...LOL), we had remedial facilities for the incorrigibles (aside from the formal "reform school")....and it seemed to work pretty damn well.
They had THEIR school...and the rest of us had all of OURS.
Now that was a lot more "fair" than what we have today.
The RIGHT choice would be a return to those days once again...everyone accountable...in whatever regular OR remedial school they happen to be in.