The First Meeting

Last Monday I attended the first meeting to rewrite the student handbook. I observed the following:
No students were in attendance. I subsequently emailed and asked why we didn't have students on the committee, and was told they had an opportunity to provide daily input at school. I asked why the daily input wasn't captured in survey form like the teachers' input had been, and was told that the student government association could provide input. Except there wasn't any provided in the meeting. And, the student government members weren't there. Hmmm.
All three parents in attendence were band parent members. The three teachers were all female. Is this significant?
The committee will not actually end up rewriting the handbook; the decisions made by the committee will be presented to the superintendant, but that individual may or may not agree to abide by the decisions of the committee.
I felt that there wasn't a lot of interest on the part of the administration members attending to make significant changes in the current quantity or type of rules included in the handbook. There was not a lot of exploration of options or brainstorming going on. I also felt that the atmosphere of the meeting was more focused on control than opportunity. I wonder why that is such a prevailing attitude in schools? Do we really believe that most kids are bad and will not behave unless we make strict rules to keep them in line?
Anyway, we didn't get it all done in one week (I was surprised they had expected to), so it is back again next Monday. I'll post more next week.

Thoughts on Student Handbooks and Discipline

Tomorrow I start my immersion experience for EDTEC 670. I will be participating in a rewrite of the local high school student handbook. As I've been reading it I have wondered why we treat teens as potential criminals with the multitude of thou shalt nots and severe consequences. It is impossible for even the best student to avoid a "run in with the school law" completely. When did we become so dictatorial in our approach to schools? Why does a few bad apples make it a rotten environment for everyone? Is it any wonder that the general attitude is that school is a place you have to survive, and the concept of enjoying learning is lost? I don't think teachers like it any better than the students.
So, my next blog will report on my first meeting with the group. I don't hold out much hope for a more charitable viewpoint, but at least I will know I made the effort.