Sixth grader Jonathan Caton was told to stand outside and face the wall during recess as punishment for not turning in a homework assignment. After he called his mother, Amy, to notify her of this event, she drove to Willard Grade Center to discuss his punishment with the principal. Once it became clear that they could not reach agreement on the issue, she removed Jonathan from the school and kept him out for a week, only returning today after meeting with school officials.
“I think it’s publicly humiliating and disgusting to stick your face on a wall. It’s not productive punishment,” she said. “I’m not against punishment, but as a parent I want to have a say in what that punishment is.” The issue remains unresolved, with Caton committing to speak with other parents to decide whether or not to bring it up with the school board.
I have to say that I’m in full agreement with Caton. First, public humiliation, while its effectiveness may be under question, is undoubtedly too strong a punishment for a sixth grader to endure. Second, it’s completely out of proportion for the offense — failure to complete a homework assignment should, and usually is, simply answered with a grade of “F”. In the academic setting, that’s punishment enough, and befits the student’s failure to follow through. The shame caused by being forced to face the wall while behind your back other students play is potentially stultifying to a young child’s growing sense of self, and could absolutely have a negative impact on his social growth. I’m surprised this practice has gone unremarked-upon until now. Hopefully this incident will mark a change in the way discipline is handed out at Willard.
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