School Discipline: Is There a Crisis in Our Schools?

Discipline ranks as one of the major concerns expressed by the public about schools and the education system. These concerns are mirrored in the often dramatic coverage by the media of stories about unruly students, bullying and violence in classrooms and on playgrounds around the country. Many are left with the impression that schools are in a state of crisis and teachers are losing a battle to maintain order. This paper examines the question of whether there is a crisis of discipline in Australian schools. It does so within the context of an international perspective on discipline in schools, and with particular attention to the role of the media in creating and fostering a distorted view of the situation.