Case
Parents are worried about incentives not behaviors

Ms. Jones has a student in her kindergarten grade class that repeatedly hits other students, does not follow directions until they have been given multiple times, and is consistently yells out during whole group instruction. The student has been given a "special seat" during instruction, has been used as a classroom helper, and been given a behavior chart to track progress. There is a field trip coming up in Ms. Jones class, and she feels this student has not earned the right to go based on her behavior in the classroom. Ms. Jones decides to talk to the parents of this student about her behavior and possible chance of missing the class field trip. Ms. Jones lets them know of the violent acts, lack of respect toward teachers, and conversations with other parents that have complained about the actions of their student. The parents response to Ms. Jones is the following: "I am worried that she will feel bad. She is just a little girl and will miss out on having fun with her friends."

How does Ms.Jones react to the parents of her troubled student?
Should the student be allowed to go on the field trip?

Posted on: 10/18/15 | Views: 1134
Solution #1
I think that the child should be allowed to go on a field trip, but with stipulations. One, the parent should be required to chaperon the field trip with the student in question. I have required parents of difficult children to attend the field trip if they really want their child to go. If the parent is unable to attend, it is up to them to find a replacement chaperon for their child. The parents need to be aware that a field trip is a privileged and not a right.
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Solution #2
When behaviors are such an issue, documentation is the life saver. In order to prevent students from doing things or being removed from a classroom situation, behavior documentation is key. If there is not previous documentation o these incidents student must be allowed to go on the field trip. I would suggest the parent coming in for a meeting with the teacher and an administrator. After, if student behaviors progress, discipline infractions follow.
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Solution #3
As a parent, I would want the teacher to understand that I don't want my child missing out on activities. Although, I would ask that it be used as an incentive to change her behavior as a teacher. No, she should not be allowed to go with consistent bad behavior. Use the field trip as an incentive to help redirect her behavior in the classroom. Then, after the field trip use a points system for her to earn incentives in the classroom for rewards.

That would be a great way to motivate the student to change their behavior - good thinking!

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Solution #4
Has the teacher spoke with the parents prior to now. All of this should have been brought to the parents attention as soon as it occurred. Parent support is key. I think the child should be allowed to go but with some stipulations like a parent chaperone.
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Solution #5
The parent should have the option of going on the field trip with their child or the child will not be able to go for safety concerns. Then, the child needs to be placed on RTI and referred to the social worker to see if something is going on.
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Solution #6
The student can go on the field trip but the punishment is that she has to be with the teacher the whole time. I am sure Ms. Jones understands what the parents have to say, but it is really hard to condone bad behavior.

I think this is a great solution! The student should not miss the field trip. Hopefully spending the day with the teacher will keep him or her from making poor decisions.

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Solution #7
Ms. Jones should focus on collaborating with the parent to create a plan of action to reinforce positive behaviors and discourage negative behaviors. She should express sympathy for parents concern, but explain that disallowing her from the field trip is not a punishment. The field trip is a "long-term" punishment meaning, the student's actions on Monday could effect her rewards on Friday, for student's this is not natural punish and is not effective most of the time. Instead removing her from the field trip is a safety and educational concern for the other students.
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Solution #8
talk!
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Solution #9
I would allow her to go on the field trip but her mother must accompany her. Explain to the mother there is not enough chaparones to attend to her daughter one on one when she misbehaves and she would need to be separated from the group with bad behavior.
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Solution #10
I would remind the parents about the bad behaviors that are going on in the classroom. I would tell them that their student has not been following the behavior plan and was aware of the consequences. I would not allow the student on the field trip unless one of her parents came along.
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Solution #11
If the parents are worried about the student missing out, they should chaperone to watch the child. If the child cannot control herself in the classroom, it would be almost a risk to take her on a field trip. It would be safer if the parents came along or if the child did not go.
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Solution #12
I would tell the parents that he or she could attend the field trip as long as they chaperone
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Solution #13
i would say that the student does not deserve the right to go on the field trip like all of the other students in the class that do follow the rules. This can be done nicely without hurting anyones feelings. The teacher should express to the parents that letting her go will teach her nothing and would not be fair to the other students. The teacher should state that she will have a talk with the student letting her know that she will not be able to attend the field trip and why, and explain that next time if her behavior changes then she will be aloud to go.
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Solution #14
I think that the student should go on the trip. She is only in Kindergarten. I think that the parents should have been notified of these actions before hand. Ms. Jones should tell the parents that the child has x amount of days to improve behavior or she cannot go.
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