FALMOUTH, Maine — Across the country recently, there have been several incidents of teachers or security guards losing control in the classroom. The incidents have been caught on camera and some educators in Maine say there’s a unique approach to discipline that could help prevent outbursts like this.
The “Real School” on Mackworth Island is an alternative school for kids who aren’t thriving in mainstream classrooms.
Staff there says their research has shown that disruptive or combative students respond better to what is called “restorative discipline.”
It’s an alternative to detention or other negative consequences. The school says they teach kids different ways of behaving and more responsible ways of responding when they’re frustrated.
Teachers say restorative discipline uses four basic steps – all designed to change behavior, not punish it.
The program encourages kids to first take responsibility, second, recognize who was affected by their behavior, third, try to repair the harm done, perhaps through an apology, and lastly, come up with a plan for next time.
The “Real School” staff says it hopes other schools will follow their lead so that everybody can get back to teaching and learning.