Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-09-05
D. {. Schools
Given Guides
0nRowdyism
Principals May
Call Police When
Pupils Are UnrIy
By TOM DIMOND
Star Staff Writer

Guidelines for school prin-
cipals and teachers confronted
with rowdyism or rebellious-
ness in District classrooms
were issued today by Washing
ton school officials.
The report. entitled "Improv-
ing Pupil Behavior" omits any
reference to corporal punish
ment as a disciplinary measure.
But it recommends possible
actions to be taken by princi-
pals, teachers and parents in
misbehavior situations ranging
from classroom defiance and
vandalism to assault.
Reasonable force" might be
employed, the report states, IF
warranted"
Punishment Blocked
A school committee began
work on the report last &C.
tober. 1t has undergone con-
siderable revision prior to its
release this morning by Dep
uty School Supt. John M.
Riecks.
At one stage in the prep
aration of the study, Mr..
Riecks said, it included a rec
ommendation for limited use
of the time-honored ruler or
paddle on a troublemaker.
That was in March. In the
following month the Board of
Education, in a controversial
five-to-four vote, rejected
Supt. Carl F. Hansen's request
that the ban on corporal pun
ishment be lifted.
Force" Is Amplified
Reasonable force" school
officials indicated earlier this
year, includes leading a frac-
tiouS student firmly from a
classroom. This Interpretation
of the phrase does not, in
the present report, encompass
spanning" or corporal punish
ment as a disciplinary measure.
Today's outline, Mr.. Riecks
stressed, lis not a panacea that
is going to solve all disciplinary
problems"
But it is significant" he
added, that this is coming out
at a time when the whole Ma
ton knows the problem that
exists in the country's schools. -
Mr.. Riecks also said q special
committee is now developing a
brochure for every parent. The
brochure will include material
from the report so they win
know what their responsibilities
are to implement what the
teachers are doing"
Provides Police Aid
The report spells out pro-
cedureS to be followed in call
ing for police assistance and
lists responsibilities of parents,
pupils, principals, teachers and
other school officers in achiev-
ing disciplined behavior,
A chart Of recommended ac-
ton included in the report lists
steps to be taken by school
personnel confronted with de-
fiance to authority, bullying
assault or sex activities.
In such instances, the chart
recommends that the teacher
notify the school principal, iso-
late the troublemaker, fill out
a Board of Education report
and collect available facts and
place them in a sealed envelope
for delivery to the principal.
At this point, the report sug-
gestS that the principal call
the police departments Youth
Aid Division (if necessary or
arrange an immediate confer
ence with the unruly pupils
parents; the pupil also could
be suspended, with the parent
advised of conditions under
which the child may return to
school.
The school boards refusal to
lift the ban on corporal pun
ishment last spring was fol-
lowed by an acrimonious public
debate. A bill empowering prin-
cipals and teachers to use
reasonable force to re-
strain or correct pupils and
maintain order" was approved
in the House but is tied up in
the Senate.