NCJ Number
35634
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE DIRECTOR OF THE STUDENTS RIGHTS PROJECT FOR NEW YORK CITY EXAMINES THE RELATIONSHIP OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE TO STUDENTS' RIGHTS, AND CONCLUDES THAT CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THESE RIGHTS SHOULD DECREASE VIOLENCE IN THE SCHOOLS.
Abstract
IT IS NOTED THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN EDUCATIONAL CIRCLES HAS SHIFTED FROM THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EDUCATION TO VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM IN THE SCHOOLS. THE MOVEMENT TOWARDS INCREASED STUDENTS' RIGHTS IS OFTEN VIEWED AS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE RISE OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE, SINCE ADMINISTRATORS AND PARENTS MAY FEEL THAT STUDENTS' RIGHTS ARE INCREASING AT THE EXPENSE OF PARENTAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY. THE SPEAKER NOTES THAT THERE IS A TENDENCY NOW TO BLAME SCHOOL VIOLENCE ONLY ON THE VIOLENT YOUTH - INSTEAD OF SOCIETY OR THE SCHOOLS - AND TO CALL FOR INCREASED AUTHORITY OVER THESE YOUTHS IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENCE. ADMINISTRATORS OFTEN CONTEND THAT THE PROBLEM OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE MUST FIRST BE SOLVED BEFORE OTHER EDUCATIONAL ISSUES MAY BE ADDRESSED. THE SPEAKER CRITICIZES THIS POSITION, AND ARGUES THAT THE ISSUE OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE IS BEING EXPLOITED BY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN THEIR AUTHORITY AT THE EXPENSE OF STUDENTS' RIGHTS. HE CONTENDS THAT THE PROBLEM OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE AND DISRUPTION IS NOT CAUSED BY INCREASED STUDENTS' RIGHTS, BUT BY THE FAILURE OF THE SCHOOLS TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO THE STUDENT. IT IS ARGUED THAT MOST SCHOOL VIOLENCE IS NOT CAUSED BY PATHOLOGICAL YOUTHS, BUT BY STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED MISTREATMENT AND SCHOOL FAILURE. THE FRUSTRATION AND ANGER BORN OUT OF THE DISCRIMINATORY ENFORCEMENT OF PETTY RULES, TRACKING INTO CLASSES WHERE NO LEARNING OCCURS, AND CONSTANT GRADE PROMOTIONS WHEN NO LEARNING HAS OCCURRED ARE THE REAL CAUSES OF STUDENT VIOLENCE, THE SPEAKER CONTENDS. IN MANY CASES SCHOOL VIOLENCE IS THE ONLY METHOD THESE STUDENTS HAVE AVAILABLE TO REGISTER THEIR DISCONTENT. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, THE SPEAKER STATES THAT IT IS UNFAIR TO PUNISH STUDENTS FOR THEIR RESPONSE TO THE SCHOOLS' FAILURE. INSTEAD, HE MAINTAINS THAT STUDENTS SHOULD BE GIVEN THEIR FULL RIGHTS, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO BE HEARD AND ELIMINATE MANY OF THE FRUSTRATIONS WHICH LEAD TO VIOLENT BEHAVIOR. HE CONCLUDES THAT ALLOWING STUDENTS TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS WILL NOT ONLY REDUCE POTENTIAL CAUSES OF VIOLENCE, BUT WILL FULFILL THE REAL MISSION OF THE SCHOOLS - TO TRAIN YOUTHS TO FUNCTION IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. FOR THE ENTIRE SERIES OF TAPES FROM THE VIOLENCE AND VANDALISM CONFERENCE, SEE NCJ-35621, 35623-35627, 35629-35635, 35637, 35638, AND 35640-35645.