Why do schools reward terrible behaviour?

[Sauvignonblancandcrisps]

Just that really. My child's high school had an award ceremony today. A boy who has been reported to the school on several occasions for bullying, including homophobic and racist, won an award. I'm just wondering how schools justify this? Any teachers out there who can shed some light on the thought process?

Maybe he has a really shit life and needed a boost so they're focusing on something positive he's done in the hope it encourages more of the same.

What was the award for? If it related to improvement or effort, maybe it will help reinforce good behaviour.

What was the award for? If it was for best morals then sure he shouldn't have won but if it is for best at math or something then I don't see why he shouldn't.

This was happening 20 years ago when my kids were in high school. The ones who had the worst records for attendance/behaviour etc were treated to an end of term visit to a theme park .
Those who had good reports just stood there open mouthed watching them all smirking as they boarded the coach. Several parents complained but were shut down ight away 😡p

Won an award for what? Was the reward related to behaviour? For good class work? Improved attitude? What?
The theory behind it would usually be an attempt to motivate the child into better behaviour by noticing and praising any positive choices. Kids like this often come with a complex history and lots of baggage. Most of which you will know nothing about. He sounds extremely challenging and I understand why you are struggling to see why he deserves
awards but I would suggest there is likely to be a lot going on that you don’t know about.

What did he win an award for?

Unless it was for bullying, I am not sure what your point is. Are people defined by only one aspect of their personality.

Possibly, but what message does that send to other children about behaviour standards and to the children who have been the victim of his bullying. Most abusers have had some trauma or "shit life" but as a society we don't tend to reward them. Are you a teacher? Would love to know if it's an effective strategy for behaviour change?

Because everyone knows that positive reinforcement helps improve behaviour.

Do you want the school to put him in stocks on the village green?

If he is racist/homophobic, he would have learnt that somewhere. School will be trying to turn things around.

Right.

I'm a teacher, and I've got some children with difficult behaviour. I've given rewards to them before if I've caught them on a good week. It encourages them.

That said, I ALWAYS praise and notice those who are consistently well behaved as well. I make sure they get the most recognition.

Of course not (to the stocks on the village green comment). I'm keen to know if it is an evidence based approach to behaviour management. If it works. And how it impacts the behaviour and learning of other children.

Depends what the award was for. What was it for?

It may have nothing to do with behaviour. What was the award for?

That’s just schools I’m afraid. The same places who push parents to send kids in ill and reward high attendance

Google it.

I am always when people claim they want to 'understand' after starting a goady thread.

So I would imagine that your approach of giving praise and rewards for good behaviour as it happens day to day with children with challenging behaviour would have more of a positive impact than hauling them into the office weekly for lecture after lecture for damaging behaviour then giving them a certificate at the end of term. You're approach makes so much sense to me in terms of consistent self-esteem building.

What was their reward for tho?

Most schools pander to parents. He who shouts loudest gets fed first...

I can't imagine why anyone would think discussing behaviour management in schools when the majority of people here have children in school would be regarded as goady.

This is the key question.

What message do you want to send instead?

If you are a child who makes mistakes or gets things wrong is one area of life, you can never be rewarded for successes in other areas?
For how long?

This happened when I was at school too. I’m in my 30s now, so it’s a long-standing thing.

They’d head off to theme parks, outdoor camps etc. I can see why it happened; the school were probably trying to build some good foundations for them, but as a child who behaved, it seemed so unfair.

If you answered what the award was for then those of us with knowledge of behaviour management could answer.

"An award" is too non descriptive.

The fact that you are not saying what the award was for makes me think is is nothing to do with behaviour.
The message it sends is you can be a git but still good at maths (or whatever the award was for)

They are children. We are here to help all of them. Every day is a fresh start and new chance. You are asking the education system to write certain children off. What kind of people would teachers be if they did this?

@Sauvignonblancandcrisps well it isn't quite as black and white as that.

The children who do struggle, who do misbehave. They are given sanctions and consequences like any other. Of course we have to take into consideration the circumstances. For example one of these pupils has an extremely turbulent home life and this explains a lot of his behaviour.
My point is, you have to balance praise and sanctions. You praise them when they're good, you bollock them when they're not.

Every now and then they might get a reward if you know they've tried hard one week.

But like I say, the ones who always do well would also be praised and given rewards regularly not only because they deserve it, bit also so they don't feel disheartened and forgotten about because they always do the right thing.

Unfortunately so much time and attention is given to children who misbehave because of the underlying needs and the need of the teacher to keep a calm classroom.

It's a balancing act.