Bill Would Allow Teachers To Use Force In Classroom

[TMC]

http://www.wmur.com/r/27284896/detail.html

Bill Would Allow Teachers To Use Force In Classroom
Supporters Say Teachers Need To Be Able To Get Students Under Control
Posted: 5:52 pm EDT March 22, 2011

(see video)

Concord, N.H. -- In a move to give teachers more control over classroom discipline, a bill is being debated in Concord that would protect teachers from civil or criminal penalties if they use physical force. Some said the bill goes too far, while supporters call it a matter of teacher and student safety. Supporters of the bill said some teachers feel powerless when confronted by aggressive students because of fears of being sued or arrested. HB 375 would give teachers and school staff civil and criminal immunity should physical action be required to get a student under control.

Sponsors pointed to an incident in February in which a Nashua High School teacher needed stitches after being hit in the face with a metal hole-punch by a 16-year-old student. In accordance with school policy, the teacher called resource officers rather than restrain the student, who fled school grounds. "These teachers now are basically in a war zone, and not only does it protect them, it protects other students," said Rep. Pete Silva, R-Nashua. "I just think it brings common sense into what's going on."

But others said the bill doesn't go far enough in terms of drawing the lines between the use of physical force and assault. Rep. Peter Schmidt, D-Dover, a former teacher who said he is in favor of school discipline, said he couldn't support the bill as written. "I think this going to require a lot of special training for teachers because now they will be cast into the role of enforcers," he said. "That really poses serious issues with regards to how far they can go." The bill passed committee with a unanimous vote, and it will now be considered by the full House.

Copyright 2011 by WMUR. All rights reserved.

[Family Ties Forever!]

I think it's important that teachers [when necessary] are able to control students.

[MickeyMac]

I'm all in favor of corporal punishment.

[old grouch]

I guess the days of kids bringing an apple for the teacher are long gone.

[comedyfreak]

This probably wouldn't be needed if States would let parents parent and discipline their kids from the start. If there is a case where the parent just doesn't care then that parent should be accountable for their kids behavior.

[ponytail]

Back when I went to school, you acted up and you got a good swat either in the classroom or in the hall. And parents need to act like parents. Teachers can only take so much. I feel for them.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by old grouch

I guess the days of kids bringing an apple for the teacher are long gone.

[catlover79]

It's so funny. My dad is a teacher and I once asked him if he was in favor of capital punishment in school. He said, "Do you mean CORPORAL punishment?" Oops. Anyway, I don't recall what his answer was, but he's had to deal with some pretty rough kids in his time. I really admire teachers for all they have to put up with - unruly students (and some unruly parents as well), budget cuts, being at the mercy of levies, etc. I know I couldn't do it. God bless all of you who can. Teachers really are underappreciated (and underpaid). That is why I am so against Bill 5 here in Ohio.

[ZeldaGilroy]

I am not in favor of teachers being able to hit ANYstudent because I KNOW there are times when it would be taken too far. Believe me, I have seen deplorable behavior by teachers who are angry with kids over the smallest things, and I would be scared if they were also allowed to hit. However, in the instances listed in the article, I do think teachers should be able to defend themselves against violent students when the students are abusing them. I think a bill of this measure should be carefully worded to protect kids and teachers and teachers should recieve training in the best and safest ways to protect themselves and other kids.

I've been spit on, bitten, hit, and cursed at numerous times in my career(although this year I have been blessed with a class of little angels so things have been great .) I teach kindergarten though, and have never taught anything above 3rd grade so it has been easier for me to handle. However, these kids grow up and I know middle and highschools are rough. Schools/Districts really need to work on strengthening discipline because many parents couldn't care less.

[robyrob]

teachers should be able to defend themselves, but this doesn't really address the real issue - not every teacher is going to be physically capable of defending themselves in a violent altercation, nor should they be expected to.

they probably need to start having a security guard or guards in each school and a panic button / emergency response system in each classroom.