Should student behavior issues influence school academic awards?

[piperdown]

I’ll be honest, I don’t have a clear cut opinion. We attended DD’s school academic award ceremony last night. A majority of the awards were for academic achievement, like commended standardized test scores, top ten GPAs, honor roll, etc.

After the ceremony, DH (who is a teacher at the school) mentioned that he found it funny (interesting, not ha ha) that a few students that had received awards, had also had fairly significant incidents of inappropriate behavior during the school year.

A specific example involved a girl that was caught having sex behind the school in broad daylight, during a football game (i.e. many people were wandering around the campus). DH says she’s a very smart girl, but has some pretty significant issues. I should mention that this is a middle school (7th & 8th grade). Unfortunately, because of the public nature of the event, the administration was not able to keep the incident confidential.

In this situation, her behavior in no way affected her academic performance. Therefore, she met the requirements for the awards she received. However, I have to say that something just doesn’t sit right with me. I guess I just need to remember that everyone makes mistakes, and she was punished for the incident (sent to alternative school for a few weeks). Obviously, the school administration doesn't have a problem, so I should just celebrate my DD's achievements and not worry about others.

BTW, the only reason I don’t mention the boy involved in the event is that he did not receive any academic awards. He was also punished. In fact, I believe his punishment was a little more severe because of previous incidents of bad behavior.

 

[golfgal]

Our student handbook (high school) clearly states that any conduct issues could render you ineligible for awards-academic, captain of a sports team, etc. I guess it would depend on the policy of your school.

I do know that some academic awards were handed out in middle school to kids that didn't "qualify" for the awards in the sense that their GPA was high enough but they were given the awards for showing significant improvement and work ethic in 8th grade. I am totally ok with that.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

I would htink now. If they are academic awards, then academics should count. I know many school, however, have policies against this.

There was a time, long ago and far away, when academics were actually the important thing in school. Now, the code of conduct is 50 pages long (with 14 pages on specific incidents and conseuqnces for discipline) and there are 3 paragraphs about things like grades and homework.

 

[okeydokey]

I would htink now. If they are academic awards, then academics should count. I know many school, however, have policies against this.

There was a time, long ago and far away, when academics were actually the important thing in school. Now, the code of conduct is 50 pages long (with 14 pages on specific incidents and conseuqnces for discipline) and there are 3 paragraphs about things like grades and homework.

I know it is sad that conduct has deteriorated to an extent that makes this necessary. I know schools put up with lots more these days from students than they did when I was a kid.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

I know it is sad that conduct has deteriorated to an extent that makes this necessary. I know schools put up with lots more these days from students than they did when I was a kid.

I agree-to some extent....

However, in these zero tolerance days, many minor infractions end up with suspensions where in the old days you got detention - you know-EXTRA school. Or a note home to your parent. Or assigned extra work to do. Now it is 'one size fits all' and no one needs to think.

It do not think kids today are any worse than we were-but the reactions and the publicity (via the web) exaccerbates the issue.

Let me give you a 'for instance' - when my DD was a Junior, 2 friends (straight A, IB students) poured water over each other's heads in a mock argument during lunch. Because someone 'could' have slipped on the water, they were each given 5 days of OSS (because that was the closest thing they could find in the code of conduct to match)

JMHO

 

[Robinrs]

I guess I'd have to return all mine...

 

[snowy76]

I agree-to some extent....

However, in these zero tolerance days, many minor infractions end up with suspensions where in the old days you got detention - you know-EXTRA school. Or a note home to your parent. Or assigned extra work to do. Now it is 'one size fits all' and no one needs to think.

It do not think kids today are any worse than we were-but the reactions and the publicity (via the web) exaccerbates the issue.

Let me give you a 'for instance' - when my DD was a Junior, 2 friends (straight A, IB students) poured water over each other's heads in a mock argument during lunch. Because someone 'could' have slipped on the water, they were each given 5 days of OSS (because that was the closest thing they could find in the code of conduct to match)

JMHO

I'm glad I don't work at a school where they jump to OSS like that. Unfortunately, though, we have ISS before that happens - and kids will cut detention on purpose to "graduate" to a day of ISS. They basically sit all day and don't touch their work.

 

[hereyago]

When DD was in elementary school, I would always think about the kids who got the high grades, perfect attendance-don't let your sick kid come to school - but wouldn't get a good citizenship award.

However, unless the kid is on a sports team,etc. it shouldn't affect or deflect from the kid's academic accomplishments.

 

[Longsx3]

A specific example involved a girl that was caught having sex behind the school in broad daylight, during a football game (i.e. many people were wandering around the campus). DH says she’s a very smart girl, but has some pretty significant issues. I should mention that this is a middle school (7th & 8th grade). Unfortunately, because of the public nature of the event, the administration was not able to keep the incident confidential.

When we were overseas there was a similar student in 6th grade that was caught performing oral S**. It was believed by the School Admin and Psychologist that this behavior was all about trying to fit in and to not be the smart kid.

OP to answer your question I believe that unless the behavior is criminal in nature I would be hesitant to remove academic awards from a student.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

At my younger DS's school, in order to be in the honor society, you must have outstanding citizenship, which means no behavior demerits in your file for the school year. So I guess, in a way, they are letting undesired behavior exclude you from academic commendations.

When my older son attended the same school, the 8th grade valedictorian lost the title of valedictorian- and the right to speak at graduation- because of an incident on the "senior" trip in which he inappropriately grabbed a female friend of his, witnessed by a teacher and other students.
The punishment was made well known to the students. I actually felt bad for the boys parents at graduation because they were way more embarrassed by the incident than the boy was.

 

[englishteacha]

We're having this discussion at our middle school now. We don't do an honor roll; instead kids with certain grades and NO detentions get a "red" card or "blue" card. We also do citizenship awards. I think the no detention rule is a bit strict. They've already been punished for whatever small "crime" they committed. I can see witholding awards if a kid's been suspended, though.

 

[shortbun]

I really try to keep the focus on me and mine. Otherwise I would go crazy. I have the most trouble when I see or hear of others judging unfairly or being mean. Then I seem to go into judgement mode myself, embarassing as it is. These are children and that is the key. Children must be guided, not slammed to the ground emotionally. To keep a child from an academic award, perhaps one of the few GOOD things in her life, because she has no self worth only shows her that people don't think she's worth anything either.

When I was in school, there was an honor roll for grades only and no strings attached. There were no other awards. We didn't need any. I think this award assembly thing is akin to the 'everyone gets a trophy' syndrome in young kids sports.

 

[MrsPete]

Ideally a school should give a variety of awards at the end of school, and the criteria for each award should be clearly defined:

If it's a plain academic award (i.e., highest grade in Algebra 1) then behavior shouldn't be included in the consideration.

On the other hand, if it's something along the lines of a good citizenship award, then the student should have at least average grades AND super-good behavor.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I don't think anything should interfere with intellectual ability. If they want to hand out well rounded student awards then so be it, kids with serious penalties should be kept out, but if it's all about the brains, it should genuinely be all about the brains.

 

[Tiger926]

Ideally a school should give a variety of awards at the end of school, and the criteria for each award should be clearly defined:

If it's a plain academic award (i.e., highest grade in Algebra 1) then behavior shouldn't be included in the consideration.

On the other hand, if it's something along the lines of a good citizenship award, then the student should have at least average grades AND super-good behavor.

We never give out awards for the sake of awards either. If no suitable candidate who fulfills that award criteria, that award is not awarded that year.

Tiger

 

[sparklynails23]

I would say it's fair to limit participation in extra-curricular activities (including academic ones, like quiz bowl) based on behavior, but giving awards based on highest GPA or a test score, are just that. If you left out the person with the highest GPA, it wouldn't be right. She'll suffer in high school by not getting scholarships or qualifying for honor society if she doesn't straighten up her act.