A high school in Oklahoma has implemented a policy that fines students and their families $250 for repeated student lateness and believe it or not, can be imprisoned for up to 15 days in jail if they refuse to pay the fines! This is the second high school that fines students who are late to school. You can read the high school in Utah Here.
Can you imagine if that policy was adopted for the New York City High Schools where 20 to 25% of high school students show up late to class and over 50% for their first period class? Moreover, just imagine that the fine money would totally eliminate the 10% budget shortfall that our schools currently experience and reduce class sizes to manageable numbers, from 34 to 25 or less. Finally, the students who repeatedly show up late and refuse to pay the $250 fine will spend 15 days in the local pokey and probably stop going to school and disrupt the classroom, thereby allowing for coherent instruction and a peaceful classroom. A win-win situation for the vast majority of students.
Of course I'm dreaming since Bill de Blasio will never allow fines for lateness and at worst will only approve "warning cards" to be issued rather than jail time. Too bad, since it would go a long way in improving the hostile environment of the New York City high school classroom.
Sorry Chaz, but placing a fine on students with the possibility of jail time does not make sense - at least with the population of students we deal with in NYC schools. First of all the fine(s) would have to be paid for by the parents/guardians many of who may not be able to afford to shell out the money (with the rent coming as well as other cost of living expenses). Then what happens if student is given jail time? There is the cost of processing student through court system as well as upkeeping student in jail - that's just passing the problem along (pretty much as we do in schools now by promoting kids who don't deserve to pass). A better alternative may be to offer these students, who obviously lack motivation, alternatives such as job training in specific areas that are meaningful to them as well as opportunities to learn a trade/skill as well as the opportunity to learn life skills that will allow them to transition into the work force and be productive citizens so that they can pay into our social security funds both yours and mine.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Oklahoma. You can hold the schools and teachers accountable only so much. I've taught high school for over 20 years in NYC and this problem has been going on since I started. What is the school's solution? Have students sign in late and call their parents. That solution hasn't worked for 20 years, so why do administrators still think it will work now? Although I don't agree with jailing people, I do agree with the fines. Also, the fines could be worked down, if students continue to be on time for school. I also agree with fining parents for misbehaving students and students who cut class. We just need someone to take the bull by the horns. Otherwise, it's going to be business as usual. An administrator's answer would be, if you are a good teacher with high expectations that the students' like, they will come to class on time. Sorry, every teacher in my school had a lateness problem period 1 and a cutting problem period 9. Are you telling me they all don't care? Also, I don't care if you don't like the teacher or his or her class, that doesn't give you the right to cut class or be late. I didn't like all my high school teachers, but I never cut class or was late for their classes. This is why schools in the suburbs succeed, and if you say that these kids are different because they are urban kids, you're insulting them and saying we can't expect much from them since they are urban students. GOOD FOR OKLAHOMA!
ReplyDeleteI will just take points off their grade.
ReplyDeleteHow about getting the subways to run on time in the mornings?
No one I know has gotten their ATR assignment off SESIS
ReplyDeleteHow about simply bringing back homeroom (AM and PM) or at least taking attendance 1st period instead of 2nd (or even 3rd!).
ReplyDeleteGreat, let's find yet another way to criminalize poverty.
ReplyDelete1:25: You can't take points off their grades. Number 1 most students wouldn't care anyway and they would still come late. Number 2, the administration doesn't want you to fail anyone anyway.
ReplyDelete3:56: Homeroom wouldn't work either. They would just miss homeroom and still come late to their classes.
How about imposing a fine on a student and parent if a student is caught bullying? A local municipality will make out really well.
ReplyDeleteDoes anybody know when we get our ATR assignment?
ReplyDeleteAnyone know what’s going on with ATR assignments? Only one guy, out of 20, I know has gotten his assignment - probably because it’s a maternity leave replacement.
ReplyDeletethere is already a work stoppage and strikes by (real)teachers in Washington. while the nyc babysitter whines and cries others around the country actually doing something to make life better! enjoy the school year complainers!
ReplyDeleteBecause of daycare arrangements, I was usually 5 or so minutes late. My principal was veery understanding-thank goodness i wasn't fined!
ReplyDeleteMy last year's principal brought me in to tell me she'd like to hire me for the year. This is the same female that sexually harassed me, made me a dean when I told her that I do not want to dean and would not allow me to go to a Yankee game because and I quote "Stephanie is going and I know Stephanie has a crush on you." Stephanie is a teacher that I have helped out as a dean but other than that we do not really communicate.
ReplyDeleteLong story short I told her I do not feel comfortable returning to her school and would prefer to remain an ATR. She then pressured me into let her know I felt uncomfortable with her sexual advances even though I did enjoy the attention. However, on more than one occasion she squeezed my balls and it hurt me.
She then asked me if she can pay me to watch a training video on sexual harassment for her. Apparently, all administrators in NYC must watch a sexual harassment training video. She paid me per session to watch the video and answer the questions.
Irony, everything she does and did last year to me is considered sexual harassment but since it was me who did the training for her then she will never know how much she sexually harasses me.
I am considering staying at her school this year again. I just want to make sure the UFT can assure me that my rights and balls will be protected.
As a parent, I drop off my two sons to the front of their schools. White Alex, goes into the school at least 30 minutes early everyday. DeShawn goes into the school (because I see him walk in) but does not attend his first and sometimes second period of the day.
ReplyDeleteI have tried everything with DeShawn except kicking his ass. He's now 6 feet tall and weighs 200 lbs. I am not losing my job and getting my ass kicked at the same time. I had ACS called on me 3 times in the last 5 years.
Any suggestions? There is no way I can make it any easier for DeShawn to attend school. What can I do?
Plus, I have to run to make sure that I get to my school on time in order to avoid a file letter or in the case of last year having my ass spanked in the principal's office. If my principal is reading this I apologize for putting this in writing.
I know there’s no city or state tax on TDA when you retire .
ReplyDeleteIs there city or state tax on 457 when You retire?
ReplyDeleteMichael Fiorillo, stop with the lazy answer of poverty to explain why students or parents can't be held responsible for their negative actions. Besides, these kids of poverty can use iPay on their smartphones to cover any fines.
@ shady first off you have now established that your a wimp and your own child will hurt you. second that makes him pathetic if not typical of HIS culture and the way you raised him. thirdly just let him go and sell drugs on the street, you know comfortable surroundings!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE it but in this politically correct, restorative justice city this will never happen. Kids can do anything they want and still expect to pass!
ReplyDelete11:12 AM. First $20,000 of 457 proceeds city and state tax free. Of course that assumes that you are not taking any IRAs or other annuity income also.
ReplyDelete