In classrooms across the country, detentions are a commonplace disciplinary tactic to address student misbehavior. At WCHS, whether it is for tardiness or disruptive behaviour, students are now starting to face consequences in the form of lunch detentions. While detentions are meant to correct behavior, educators and students alike are beginning to ask the question: do they actually work?
“This is a WCHS-specific system, but it aligns with MCPS expectations around improving attendance and student accountability,” WCHS Assistant Principal Dr. Ericka Mbachu said. “Schools have flexibility in how they implement those goals. Since we launched the system in early September, around 240 students have served detention.”
The new detention policy at WCHS aims to eliminate student tardiness through a five-strike policy. There has been an upward trend of students coming late to class which disrupts instruction. After five cumulative tardies, students receive a pink detention slip and an additional one for every tardy afterwards. Students who receive these passes must spend their lunches in detention, spending time reflecting on their actions. Coordinating staff to ensure detentions are assigned and served, Mbachu believes that enforcing consequences is a crucial aspect of reforming student behaviour…