May 19, 2012

Posts Comments

You are here: Home / Archives for Students

A Child is Bullied Every Seven Minutes

The increase of violence among youths is troubling and disturbing. Unfortunately, this violence is often perpetrated in school. This has caused an environment to develop in which some children fear attending school. Statistically, a child is bullied every seven minutes. Creating a safe environment for children to be educated is a challenge in many schools. The role of school administration has changed from providing a good education to combating school violence. Many schools have recognized the emotional and physical abuse that occurs in schools daily. Thousands of children dread attending school for fear of being bullied.

Many children will miss school because they are so fearful of being bullied. At least eight percent of children miss at least one day per month because they are afraid to attend school. Over 43 percent of children are terrified of using the restrooms at school because they are more likely to be harassed in the school restrooms. Many children are harassed or bullied on school playgrounds. Sadly, over 85 percent of the time, there is no intervention by teachers or peers. The problem is compounded by staggering statistics that indicate an argument with a bully results in physical violence 80 percent of the time.

School administrators find themselves scrambling to provide solutions for this growing problem. Many children suffer silently at the hands of a bully for fear of retaliation if they report the incident. Many schools have instituted confidentiality policies to encourage students to report bullying. Many schools have instituted policies of immediate expulsion and reporting the violent behavior to local authorities.

While many schools struggle to prevent school violence, children continue to be bullied and tormented. This growing problem not only causes harm physically and emotionally, it prevents children from obtaining an education. It makes learning difficult because many children dread and fear attending school.

Filed Under: School Violence, Students Tagged With: , , ,

A Parent’s Guide to Helping a Child Cope With Bullying

While schools struggle to provide a safe educational environment, many children continue to be afraid of going to school. School administrations across the country are beginning to address bullying with stricter disciplinary acts in an effort to make attending school safe and enjoyable for children. However, these efforts are only effective if children come forward to report bullying. Most children are afraid that the bullying will become worse if they report it. Many parents are unaware that their child is being bullied. There are several warning signs and many things a parent can do to help their child.

The fist warning sign that your child may be taunted by a bully is the child’s unwillingness to go to school. The child may attempt to fake an illness so he or she can stay home from school. While this is a warning sign that is often over looked, it is important for a parent to question and investigate why their child does not want to attend school. If your child is adamant about not attending school one day, allow your child to stay home. If you can, spend the day with your child, begin a conversation with your child about why they do not want to go to school. Above all, let your child know that you love him or her. Allow your child to talk and assure your child you are there to help. If you child confides in you that he or she is being bullied, immediately contact school officials to file a complaint. These complaints are handled in a confidential manner. You child’s teachers will be made aware of the situation and will monitor the situation closely. Talk with your child daily and let your child know that he or she is not to blame.

Protecting children from bullying is a challenge that many parents face. Developing open communication with your child will help him or her feel more secure knowing you are there to help.

Filed Under: School Violence, Students Tagged With: , , ,

The Changing Role of School Boards and School Administrators

School boards and school administrators were once only responsible for providing sound educational curriculum, school nutrition and student activities. The school environment has changed dramatically as violence among youths is skyrocketing. School administrators now have to contend with developing methods to provide a safe school environment. This challenge has changed the role of school administrators significantly. Many educators and administrators have had to obtain additional education to handle the violence in schools and violent youths. Many schools have chosen to involve law enforcement officials to help establish and implement new school programs to gain control over school violence.

Instituting and managing programs to circumvent school violence are complex and time consuming. Many schools struggle to provide an education with dwindling school funds. The cost of security and safety programs has caused many school administrators to sacrifice school activities in favor of safety. Administrators are challenged with finding the balance between protecting children from bullies while also finding ways to help the offender. Many schools have instituted a policy of immediate expulsion for any child that commits a violent act in school. This has led to an additional controversy school officials are forced to address.

If a child is expelled from school, where will the child receive and education? School administrators must contend with complex issues involving school violence and this takes its toll on the entire education system. Violence among children continues to escalate and this has left many schools to struggle on minimum budgets to find cost effective solutions.

School administrators have a daunting and difficult role that has grown in complexity. Schools have turned to parents and the community for support and solutions to develop measures to end school violence. Maintaining educational standards and providing a safe school system will continue to be a challenge for schools across the country. The role of school administrators will continue to change as they struggle to tackle this growing problem.

Filed Under: Administration, School Violence, Students Tagged With: , ,

School Bullying and Child Suicide

While many schools have developed anti-bullying policy, the bullying continues and many children have committed suicide. Suicide among young children was once a rare occurrence. So rare, the Center for Disease Control did not track suicide among young children. However, as violence among children increases so does suicide. School administrators have adopted stringent anti-bullying policies, however, the bullying continues on social networking sites. Children feel so helpless, they feel the only option for relief is suicide. Children as young as eleven years old have committed suicide because they could no longer cope with being bullied.

While school administrators recognize that bullying is a violent crime, they struggle to develop effective methods to prevent it. Protecting children from bullies is difficult for school officials and parents. The abuse occurs daily and is relentless. Social media sites have opened additional avenues for bullies to inflict harm on their victims. Children are terrified to speak up and most suffer silently. Bullies threaten children with physical harm and even death.

Many parents are shattered when they learn the misery their child had to endure. Much of the bullying is not perpetrated by one person. One child was bullied by a group of at least six people. She was bullied everyday at school, on her way home from school and on social networking sites. She eventually committed suicide at the age of 15. The six bullies are currently charged with contributing to her death.

It is time for communities, schools and parents to recognize that bullying is a violent crime that must be addressed immediately. Children must be provided a safe way to report such incidence and if necessary, be allowed to transfer to a different school. It is also important to recognize that group bullying is a growing trend and youth violence continues to grow.

Filed Under: Administration, School Violence, Students Tagged With: , , ,

School Violence and Administrator Resposibilities

In today’s world, school violence has become a widespread problem. Simple acts of taunting and teasing can now lead to expedited violence, and many people blame school administrators for the increasing violence in our schools. The principal is often the first administrator blamed for acts of violence. Fortunately, the principal can take some steps to safeguard the students. Training Parents, Teachers and Students to End School Violence The school principal can establish a non-violent school through many means. Some violence prevention ideas include physical tactics, like installing metal detectors, however, the most effective means of establishing a non-violent school involve education. By involving and/or educating parents, teachers and students, principals can begin to address violence issues in the schools. One way to discourage violence is to involve parents. Children who receive parental support are less likely to bully and more likely to report inappropriate behavior, and potential violence can be discouraged through a partnership of children, parents, and school administrators. Another way to prevent school violence is to train teachers in effective means of conflict management. Teachers who are able to manage fights and disagreements in the classroom will contribute to resolutions and prevent violence. Also, counseling staff should be aware of students in need, of ways to assist needy students, and of the community resources available to students. In the same light, children should be trained in conflict managment. Arming the children with tools to dissuade, avoid or manage an argument will empower them to stop violence before it starts. Children should also be taught to respect others’ belongings and beliefs, because respect is the key to non-violence. In the fight against bullying and school violence, the most important tool is education. Parents who are equipped to address problems, teachers trained to manage conflict, and students who respect differences in others can together end school violence.

Filed Under: Administration, School Violence, Students Tagged With: , , ,

Administrative Responsibilities and School Violence

Although principals are often blamed for school violence, teachers receive a large share of blame in shcool violence activities. Whether fair or unfair to administrators, teachers are now faced with the additional career struggle of diffusing violent behaviors. Thankfully, violence can be prevented if caught early, and there are many signs for which teachers can watch.

Signs of a Potentially Violent Student

Students who are in danger of becoming violent often feel alone, and in fact, these students may not have many or any friends. The potentially violent student may also have trouble controlling his feelings, may fight or argue regularly, and may threaten others. Also, an increase in drug or alcohol intake, a gang affiliation, and a fascination with weapons may indicate a student is leaning toward violence.

Students may also display a violent tendency if harming others, including animals, becomes a game or power conveyance. In the same line, a student who does not acknowledge others’ feelings or rights is in danger of becoming violent. Other signs of a violent student include poor grades or a decrease in grades and a withdrawal from normal activities or friends.

Teacher Responsibilities in Addressing the Student

Depending on school regulations, teachers may be advised to address a potentially violent student or to report the student’s behavior to the school counselor or principal. No matter what path the teacher must take, the important outcome of teacher involvement is to get the student the emotional and psychological help necessary.

Often, a teacher may not be equipped to address the psychological needs of a violent student, however, reporting the student to the appropriate administrator will allow school officials the opportunity to assist as soon as possible. A teacher who is equipped with a counseling background may assist the student to psychological healing.

Now required to identify and assist potentially violent students, teachers can avert violence and encourage a safer learning environment.

Filed Under: Administration, School Violence, Students Tagged With: , , ,

Administrative Responsibilities and School Violence

Recent studies have proven that parental involvement in a potentially violent child’s treatment will often influence the child to overcome obstacles which may contribute to the child’s violent tendencies. However, the task of involving a parent may be daunting to administrators since parents can be resistant to the possibility of having raised a violent child. How, then, do administrators encourage parents to address the issues in their child’s life? Introducing the Violence Issue To begin the discussion, counselors may invite the parents to their office or request a time for a home visit. The parents may feel more comfortable in their own home. Upon invitation, the counselor may address his concerns. An opening showing concern and compassion will be more well-received than an accusation, so a counselor may wish to open with a statement such as, “I am concerned about your son’s recent withdrawal from the basketball team.” This open-ended concern may encourage the parents to address their own concerns. If this is the case, listen to the parent’s concerns. Even if their parenting style seems offensive, a counselor should never criticize the parents. Instead, focusing on the positive aspects of their parenting and suggesting additional tactics and techniques can help establish a working parent-counselor relationship. During the visit, it is important to determine if the teen is a danger to the family. Many parents with violent teens may have been abused by or in danger of abuse from their children. Establishing an open, non-judgmental line of communication can encourage abused parents to seek assistance. At this point, ensure the parents are not in immediate danger and refer them to appropriate information or authorities. No one deserves to be assaulted, and parents should always feel safe. Overall, being open to parental concern, offering assistance, and ensuring parents are safe from harm can all go a long way toward cementing a relationship with a violent child’s parents in an effort to help the child.

Filed Under: School Violence, Students Tagged With: , , ,

Administrative Responsibilities

In the ever-increasing world of school violence, it has become commonplace for administrators to install metal detectors within urban schools. Although there is much debate about whether metal detectors offer security, many parents request metal detectors be placed in the schools after cases of shootings in or around the school district. The parents often believe the metal detectors will guarantee their children will be safe in schools, however statistics show that metal detectors may linstill a false sense of security that may lead to increased violence. If this is the case, is it ever appropriate to require metal detectors in schools?

High-Viiolence Urban School Districts

In school districts where violence is more common than not, it is often beneficial for school officials to implement metal detection at school entrances. However, in such school districts, the metal detectors must be coupled with increased security. Often, in school districts that do not have high rates of violence, metal detectors offer security officials, parents and teachers a sense of security that makes them more lax in their own security measures. This can backfire, so if metal detectors are chosen as additional security measures in any school, it is very important to continue to monitor and closely watch students for any signs of intended violence.

Average School Districts

Most districts fall into a moderate level of school violence, and these schools should carefully consider the message metal detectors send to students before placing them in schools. Rather than make students feel more secure, the detectors can make students feel violated, untrusted, and distrustful of fellow students. A perceived danger will be unnerving to the majority of students, so officials should carefully weigh the necessity of metal detectors before placing them in schools.

Metal detectors have a place in high-violence school districts, however, in the average schools, metal detectors can backfire in the intended safety measures. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to metal detector necessity.

Filed Under: School Violence, Students Tagged With: , , ,

School Violence

In 1940, talking out of turn and chewing gum were the most common offenses which required disciplinary action. On the other hand, in 1990, drug abuse and alcohol abuse have topped the list for school offenses. In light of the increased severity of offenses, disciplinary actions have had to change. Whereas a 1940′s student could be reprimanded with a detention, our moderns students require more severe disciplinary tactics. Let’s look at the best disciplinary tactics for common school violence issues in today’s society.

Common Violence Problems

Violence in today’s schools is much more commonplace and severe than the violence that existed in 1940′s society. Modern students fight much more often and with much more severity, and the following top the list of physically violent acts and/or actions that often lead to physical violence: Threats, insults, assaults, theft, assault with a weapon, and rape. With these types of violent behaviors, there is obviously a necessity for more severe discipline; the detention used in 1940 to stop gum-chewing will not cut it in today’s schools.

Reasons for Violence

An understanding of the common reasons behind the increased violence can assist officials in deciding a better-suited disciplinary action for violent behaviors. Many children who turn to violence have learned behaviors from the streets and/or home environment, may have little parental supervision, may be resisting/fighting against the poverty in which they were raised, and may seek acceptance from a group or gang.

Disciplinary Actions

The basic principals of modern disciplinary action should therefore include both affirmations for good behavior and disciplinary action for unwanted behavior. Effective discipline can range from suspension to expulsion to anger-management detentions, however, according to research, the combination of discipline for negative behaviors/violence and rewards for positive behaviors can more greatly encourage students to behave well.

The history of discipline and violence has encouraged a multi-faceted approach to discipline in today’s school district. Combining discipline and rewards can lead to a less violent school district.

Filed Under: School Violence, Students Tagged With: , , ,

School Violence

The theory that school violence can be combated through a combination of discipline and rewards is fascinating to many school officials. Discipline has been the primary method of preventing and fighting school violence for years, but studies on the reasons behind student’s violent behaviors has revealed that students most commonly lean toward violence in an effort to belong and be loved. For example, many young gang members join because they are seeking a group to which they may belong, and the violent behaviors follow.

Rewards

For this reason, seeking group acceptance, student violence can often be prevented by making school group acceptance more desirable and achievable. Providing good, non-violent students with rewards may encourage children leaning toward violence to instead follow the example and seek non-violent school group acceptance. In addition to making the groups more desirable through rewards, a student may be encouraged by a group invitation that makes the group seem more achievable.

Discipline

Of course, violence cannot be combated by rewards alone. Violent behaviors must be addressed. However, some formerly standard disciplinary actions, like suspension, may not discourage student violence. Depending on the severity of the violence. the student may need in-school guidance, anger management courses, out-of-school psychological treatment, and possibly police intervention. In any case, violent behaviors and tendencies must never be tolerated because they can lead to more sever violence from the child, the child’s friends, and copycat children.

Zero-Tolerance

Therefore, a zero-tolerance rule should be applied to school violence. Violence in any form should always be addressed by a teacher, counselor, principal, or police officer. In addition, students may benefit from violence education through an assembly or a required class.

Keeping the children in your school district safe from violence is the top priority of school officials. Thankfully, rewarding the positive, disciplining violence, and adapting a zero-tolerance rule are proven to benefit schools.

Filed Under: School Violence, Students Tagged With: , , ,
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »