NCJ Number
51414
Journal
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS BULLETIN Dated: (FEB 1977) Pages: 79-83
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A PROFILE IS PROVIDED OF DISRUPTIVE STUDENTS, ALONG WITH SUGGESTIONS ON HOW SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS CAN DEAL WITH THE PARENTS, WITH SUPPORTIVE STAFF MEMBERS, AND WITH THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES.
Abstract
TYPICALLY THESE STUDENTS ARE BRIGHT, ARTICULATE, WELL READ, AND TO SOME EXTENT SOCIAL LONERS. THEY USUALLY COME FROM MIDDLE TO UPPER-MIDDLE CLASS HOMES IN WHICH PARENTS APPEAR TO BE LIBERAL TO ULTRALIBERAL WITH INTELLECTUAL AND POLITICAL COMMITMENTS TO INDIVIDUALISM AND CREATIVITY. THEY PROJECT AN IMAGE OF THE 1960'S 'HIPPIE' CULTURE AND THEY ARE GENERALLY BORED WITH THE ACADEMIC OFFERINGS OF THE SCHOOL, ALIENATED FROM THE SCHOOL, AND CONTEMPTUOUS OF ITS VALUES AND ALL AUTHORITY. THEIR DEMANDS INCLUDE AN OPEN CAMPUS, STUDENT LOUNGES AND SMOKING AREA, 'MINI-COURSES' UNRELATED TO STANDARD CURRICULUM, DIRECT INPUT TO SCHOOL GOVERNANCE, AND EVALUATION BY STUDENTS OF TEACHING FACULTY. IT IS CLEAR THAT MANY OF THE PARENTS HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THEIR CHILDREN, WHILE OTHERS ENCOURAGE THE SHOW OF INDEPENDENCE. A THREE-PRONG STRATEGY INVOLVING THE PARENTS, SCHOOL PERSONNEL, AND THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES IS SUGGESTED. ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD STRIVE TO UNDERSTAND THE MOTIVATIONS UNDERLYING THE PARENTS' ATTITUDES. THEY SHOULD DISCUSS WITH PARENTS CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS OF SYMPTOMS OF RADICAL BEHAVIOR BEFORE AN INCENDIARY INCIDENT OCCURS, EMPHASIZING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FREEDOM AND LICENSE. ALTHOUGH DISCUSSIONS WITH PARENTS SHOULD BE FRANK AND HONEST, AN ADMINISTRATOR SHOULD NEVER BE INTIMIDATED (I.E., BY POLITICAL PRESSURE, LETTERS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD). WITHIN THE SCHOOL ITSELF, FACULTY ENCOURAGEMENT OF DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED. THESE STUDENTS MAY BE ALLOWED TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN IN SMALL GUIDANCE GROUPS. EMPHASIS ON CLASS ATTENDANCE, CONSTANT STAFF COMMUNICATION WITH THE PARENTS OF IRREVERENT STUDENTS, AND GUIDING THE STUDENT TOWARD READING THAT PROVIDES A POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE ON SOCIETY ARE RECOMMENDED STRATEGORIES. FINALLY, ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD NEVER IGNORE THESE STUDENTS; INSTEAD THEY SHOULD ENGAGE THEM IN DISCUSSION OF CURRENT ISSUES, PUNISH TRANSGRESSIONS OF SCHOOL RULES FAIRLY, AND MAKE IT CLEAR THAT NO DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR, THREATS OF RETALIATION, OR INSULTS ON THE PART OF THE STUDENT WILL BE TOLERATED. NO REFERENCES ARE CITED. (KBL)