Fights are an unfortunate part of the school day, but the Midland Independent School District (MISD) announced that the current academic year began with a steep decline in the number of physical confrontations. Per the Permian Basin public school district, recently released data revealed that student fights dropped 30% compared to the same time last year.
"We are immensely proud of the progress we have made in improving student discipline and decreasing disruptive behavior incidents," Deputy Superintendent Roberto Cedillo said in an Oct. 24 press release issued by MISD.
According to the release, the district credited the decline to how it effectively implements its Student Code of Conduct in addition to outlining clear expectations for students and hugely supporting teachers when they’re confronted with behavioral issues.
“Campus administrators have been at the forefront of this ongoing transformation, working tirelessly to develop and implement strategies that promote positive behavior among students by emphasizing high expectations, promoting positive recognition, and providing teacher support,” officials said in the release. “Administrators continue to work to create an atmosphere that encourages students to make responsible choices.”
MISD also attributes lesser fights among students to open lines of communication and regular engagement. Cedillo said in the release that a student who senses tension with another should tell an employee about it.
“Tell a teacher, counselor, or administrator, and they will help de-escalate the situation,” he said, according to the district. “Getting into a fight is absolutely unnecessary and it disrupts the entire campus, which affects everyone and isn’t fair to anyone.”
The district encouraged parents to have discussions with their children about helping foster a school environment in which everyone from students to staff feels safe. Per Cedillo, it’s a “critical part of prevention.”
“Parents want their child to be educated in a rich learning environment, and setting expectations and providing support go a long way in stopping behavioral issues before they start,” he said in the release.