In an effort to limit violence in District public schools, the District’s Board of Education is proposing changes to the existing law that would give teachers greater authority to use physical force against students. Under current law, teachers can only use force as part of “reasonable efforts at self-defense.” The new proposal would expand these limits and give teachers the right to employ force “necessary to maintain or regain order” or to ensure the “safety of the educational environment.”
Proponents say the new language would enable teachers to more effectively control violent students. The problem, however, is that language isn’t entirely clear. When exactly is the “safety of the educational environment threatened?” Should teachers use force against students who push other students, who swear at them or who kick desks? Feasibly, all of the above might disrupt classroom order but certainly all don’t warrant the use of force.
The D.C. Board of Education should question a change in policy that gives teachers a blank check to use greater force against students. A number of allegations against teachers for the improper use of force have been reported, and the District Superintendent has ordered that teachers receive more training about how to manage student behavior without resorting to corporal punishment. District teachers can’t use force responsibly in the classroom, so extending that power is likely to create a score of political and legal headaches for District officials.
Board member Roger Wilkins said that because today’s world is more violent, teachers need a greater ability to use force. Wilkins is absolutely right. Today’s world is more violent. So why create more violence? Granted, teachers should restrain students who attack other students or themselves, but this shouldn’t warrant a change in the law. Violence won’t create better schools; it might encourage more violence and possibly convince impressionable younger students that force can be used to solve problems.
Teachers need more training, not more violence. Teachers should be given greater counselling skills, which could diffuse violence before it occurs. District public schools need lots of attention, but what they certainly don’t need is more violence.
