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It's odd to me that there is any debate about the appropriateness of this action. Sure, teachers often need to think of new and creative incentives to inspire students to perform, but the idea that an experienced teacher would allow, no, encourage the public humiliation of her struggling students in such a way is revolting. That she would allow it to be done with permanent marker is almost incomprehensible. That this action was principal approved is inexcusable. Defending this action as a "choice" and expecting 4th graders to fully understand the complicated consequences of this type of public shaming is absurd. After reading this article take a look at Mrs. Larsen's 4th grade class (below - removed) and decide for yourself how you as a parent might feel if your child came home having been literally branded as a failure. Mrs. Larsen should consider that 43% of her students not passing their reading goals might be a personal failure of her own and a mark of the quality success as a teacher. Nevertheless, what is clear to me is that many teachers and administrators are too often concerned with producing acceptable "numbers" and not with those intangibles in education such as dignity, respect, and virtuous actions. (Reviewed by: Justin Ormsby)
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DECLO, Idaho — A fourth-grade
teacher in southern Idaho is being criticized after having her students
use permanent markers to draw on the faces of classmates who failed to
meet reading goals.
Some parents and administrators say the punishments given to nine students in Summer Larsen's class were inappropriate and left the children feeling shamed.
Cindy Hurst said recently her 10-year-old son came home from school Nov. 5 with his entire face - including his eyelids - scribbled on with green, red and purple markers.
"He was humiliated, he hung his head and wanted to go wash his face," Hurst told The Times-News of Twin Falls. "He knows he's a slow reader. Now he thinks he should be punished for it."
Larsen, who has taught at the school for six years, didn't respond to requests for comment. But Cassia County School District Superintendent Gaylen Smyer confirmed what took place in her classroom, though he didn't name Larsen.
The students were allowed to choose their own incentive to meet the reading goal, but instead of a reward, the class chose a punishment: Students who failed to meet the goal could either stay inside at recess until it was met, or have their faces written on by classmates who met the goals.
Nine students didn't meet the goals, the paper reported Friday. Three chose to forgo recess, and the other six chose to have their faces marked on.
"Although all the students in the class agreed to the incentive, once it occurred it was not so well received. Nor should it have been," Smyer said.
LeRoy Robinson, who has two grandchildren who had their faces marked for failing to meet the goals, said the punishment was bullying. The children had their faces marked in the morning, and were told to leave it on all day but to wash it off before they went home, Robinson said.
"Other kids were asking them about it and laughing at them," he said.
Robinson's wife, Karla Robinson, said the ink was hard to wash away and most kids couldn't get it off their faces, leaving them embarrassed - especially when they had to ride the bus home with junior high and high school students.
Some parents were supportive, however. Karla Christensen, whose daughter met Larsen's reading goals, said the teacher was just trying to motivate students.
Smyer wouldn't confirm whether the teacher faced any disciplinary action, but parents said she was absent from school for the next few days, returning to the classroom Nov. 12.
Some parents and administrators say the punishments given to nine students in Summer Larsen's class were inappropriate and left the children feeling shamed.
Cindy Hurst said recently her 10-year-old son came home from school Nov. 5 with his entire face - including his eyelids - scribbled on with green, red and purple markers.
"He was humiliated, he hung his head and wanted to go wash his face," Hurst told The Times-News of Twin Falls. "He knows he's a slow reader. Now he thinks he should be punished for it."
Larsen, who has taught at the school for six years, didn't respond to requests for comment. But Cassia County School District Superintendent Gaylen Smyer confirmed what took place in her classroom, though he didn't name Larsen.
The students were allowed to choose their own incentive to meet the reading goal, but instead of a reward, the class chose a punishment: Students who failed to meet the goal could either stay inside at recess until it was met, or have their faces written on by classmates who met the goals.
Nine students didn't meet the goals, the paper reported Friday. Three chose to forgo recess, and the other six chose to have their faces marked on.
"Although all the students in the class agreed to the incentive, once it occurred it was not so well received. Nor should it have been," Smyer said.
LeRoy Robinson, who has two grandchildren who had their faces marked for failing to meet the goals, said the punishment was bullying. The children had their faces marked in the morning, and were told to leave it on all day but to wash it off before they went home, Robinson said.
"Other kids were asking them about it and laughing at them," he said.
Robinson's wife, Karla Robinson, said the ink was hard to wash away and most kids couldn't get it off their faces, leaving them embarrassed - especially when they had to ride the bus home with junior high and high school students.
Some parents were supportive, however. Karla Christensen, whose daughter met Larsen's reading goals, said the teacher was just trying to motivate students.
Smyer wouldn't confirm whether the teacher faced any disciplinary action, but parents said she was absent from school for the next few days, returning to the classroom Nov. 12.
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