School Discipline Alternatives Explored In Harkin Hearing
During Elijah's early years in school, Debbie Jackson, his single mother, routinely came home to hear messages of his screams on her answering machine -- and no other word from administrators. The blood-curdling voicemails sometimes came as often as three times a day. "It was a nightmare," Jackson said. "I no longer recognized my son."
Elijah was screaming because he was an unruly kid, and his teachers tried to get him in line through seclusion and restraint. He would throw pencils on the floor, turn over desks, hit other students and rip pictures from the wall. Teachers did what most U.S. educators have been trained to do when faced with kids who act out violently. They restrained Elijah by his arms, wrists, and legs, or placed him in a locked room by himself.
Elijah got better after he transferred to a school that focused on positive behavior modification. That's why
Elijah was screaming because he was an unruly kid, and his teachers tried to get him in line through seclusion and restraint. He would throw pencils on the floor, turn over desks, hit other students and rip pictures from the wall. Teachers did what most U.S. educators have been trained to do when faced with kids who act out violently. They restrained Elijah by his arms, wrists, and legs, or placed him in a locked room by himself.
Elijah got better after he transferred to a school that focused on positive behavior modification. That's why
