Competency 11: Student Personnel 11.2 Related Task: Knowledge of principles of discipline, student control, etc. 11.2.

3 Specific Task: Study a specific pupil behavior problem in a given school or district, meet with concerned parents and teachers, and make appropriate recommendations. Narrative Description of Task: Discipline is a major aspect of the job of assistant principal and therefore important for a variety of reasons. The effective handling of issues through inconsistency or improper resolution can result in the opposite, affecting teacher performance, student performance, parent and community perceptions, not to mention legal ramifications. I will spend ten hours shadowing the assistant principals and keep a journal of all discipline issue and the resolution of each. I will then categorize issues and resolutions and analyze the effectiveness based on recidivism and the consistency of resolutions both between principals and among the various students. I will then write an analysis of my findings and possible remedies to any identified issues. Discipline is a necessary aspect of the job of administrators and effective discipline can actually lead to a reduction in the need for it. At Midland High School both principals involved in discipline work very hard to reduce the need for it by building relationships with parents, students, and teachers. This starts by the way in which students are divided among principals. At MHS they are divided by alphabet rather than by grade. This enables each principal to develop and relationship with students and families over their four years at MHS and even longer if there are older or younger siblings. Once a strong relationship has been established with the family they are more likely to have support of the parents when students are referred for discipline which sometimes works to reduce misbehavior. If students know their parents will support the principal they may be more likely to adhere to rules. Building relationships with students lets them know that someone cares, this may be lacking in the home and although it takes time, once students know that someone in the school is concerned about their success they have fewer referrals. Midland High School has a surprisingly small number of office referrals given the number of students in the building and an even smaller number of suspensions. So far this year there have been sixty students suspended (although some have been suspended multiple times). Of the approximately 450 referrals the most numerous were for open defiance, disrespect, bullying, and phone issues. Suspensions tend to be for swearing and/or blatant disrespect, drug or alcohol possession or use, and carrying weapons (knives). A majority of the issues with drugs and alcohol occur when student return from lunch. This could be largely eliminated by closing the campus but this isnt currently feasible as the school doesnt have a cafeteria equipped to feed and house such a large number of students. The weapons instances have been unfortunate but due to the climate and fear created by recent events in other schools Midland Public Schools feels it has become necessary to expel students who carry weapons to school. Several students have been expelled and as bad as that sounds, it seems to have taken care of much of the issue. Students realize the severe consequences and have decided carrying a knife to schools isnt worth being expelled.

While working with Ms. Pritchett, one of two assistant principals responsible for discipline at Midland High School I learned several important lessons regarding effective discipline. First, she recommends conferring often with another administrator if you are lucky enough to have one. Compare decisions and discuss the reasoning behind decisions. This will build confidence and force you to analyze and reflect on decisions. It was also recommended that in suspension cases or when students seem to be combative it is helpful to have two adults in the room. This will ensure nothing is taken out of context or misrepresented later on. Finally, when possible, students should either by phone or in person explain to their parents what they have done. Having students confess their misdeeds will reduce the changing of the story later on and often reduces recidivism because most students dont want to hurt their parents and after doing it once, understand the consequences. At Midland High School both disciplinarians believe that they need to be fair, consistent, and treat everyone equally. That being said there are instances where fair and equal dont always mean the same thing. Some students may be given more leeway or alternate punishments based on their circumstances. The knowledge of individual circumstances allows for flexibility in some cases but sometimes treating students differently can be precarious. If students get the sense that an administrator is unfair or inconsistent it can lead to mistrust and therefore damage credibility. Like teachers administrators have different styles and that is the case at Midland High School. Both administrators in charge of discipline believe the style is less important than the result and as long as their decisions are similar the means of coming to that decision is less critical. Reflections: While the job of disciplinarian is often the least respected or admired of the administrative positions it is often (particularly in Midland Public Schools) one of the first roles a new administrator takes on. I believe there is a benefit to this system because it gives them a chance to immerse themselves in the intricacies of public school law and yet have an experienced administrator above them to confer with. It is important as a disciplinarian to be knowledgeable of the law and school policies in addition to being patient, fair, and positive because effective discipline or a lack of it can have a huge impact on the climate of the school. If students believe they have been treated fairly and that an administrator cares they might misbehave less often. When teachers understand that they are being supported and that misconduct will be addressed effectively they will feel more confident in the classroom. Finally, when parents know that their children are being treated with respect and compassion they will be more likely to support the school and discourage bad behavior. If discipline is inconsistent, unfair, or unkind it can do the opposite and breed a negative school climate.