A Few Simple Things: Language

     Another issue in our public schools, that should not be an issue at all, is language.  Language; like dress code, attendance, cell phones, and other issues, is only an issue because we as a school system allow it to be an issue.  Students use almost any language on an everyday basis in school with the only consequence being the passing “watch your mouth.”  No discipline, no real consequences, just a reminder that maybe they were speaking a little loudly.
     As with many other simple matters, we as a public school system attempt to justify the foul language used by our students.  Those of us who attempt to address the issue receive replies such as:  “well that is how they are talked to at home,” “that is just the way they talk now,” “they are spoken to worse than that at home,” and so on.  I have so many issues with all of this.  I understand that many of our students have a less than ideal home life.  I understand than for many of our students, language is the least of their worries at home.  I am not trying to be heartless or unsympathetic.  What I am alluding to is that as educators we, as an educational system, have a responsibility to teach beyond our curriculum.  Helping students to understand right from wrong, or that there is a time and place for certain behaviors, has to be a fundamental element of a teacher’s responsibility.
     The justification by administration, school board, and some teachers that “they are spoken to worse than that at home,” is the reason we have to address the issue, not ignore it.  The fact that our students hear and speak these things at home is the reason we as educators have to express the fact their language is not acceptable in school, or public in general for that matter.  If what they hear and learn at home is sufficient then public schools in general no longer have any value.     I have a lunch duty once a week which last a little less than 30 minutes.  I have spent this school year counting the number of times I hear the “F” word in that short amount of time.  The numbers from doing this are actually very frustrating and sad for me.  The highest number I have reached is 72.  The lowest number I have reached is 37.  So, in one area of a public high school, in less than 30 minutes, students use the “F” word more than once a minute.  I have reported this along with student’s names all year.  The result; not a single consequence, punishment, or even discussion has taken place.     Instead of addressing the issue we fall back on our insufficient justifications as reasons to do nothing.  By doing nothing we contribute to the fallacy that their language will be acceptable in public, as well as in their future place of work.  Letting several small things go is leading to major problems which take away from the value of our student’s education.