kk115+Citizenship+Credits

==Many schools are now introducing a program knows as, "Citizenship Credits". The whole point of this program is to stop bullying and violence by awarding students who tell on their fellow classmates about what they did wrong. When the student reports to the principal, he or she can get a point or two marked onto their average. But many disadvantages should make you think if this program is the best idea for schools. Because of this, Citizenship Credits should not be available to students of Bedminster School.==

==At first, students will like the idea of this program, but some students may have misconceptions, and get another classmate in trouble because of an accident. Suppose that a student accidentally knocks down the books in another student's hands, and he or she is reported for that matter. Even though it was an accident! Should that student be punished? Think about this: what if you were throwing out something, and you accidentally missed the garbage can, not noticing, so you get reported for that. Do you think that was fair? Imagine you were hanging out with your friends, and you jokingly said, "oh shut up." Coincidentally, a student walks by, hearing what you said. BAM! Reported. ==

==The policy also may make students not focus on their work and "search" for others doing wrong things. If a kid is failing in a class, they can write up a bunch of people, walking out with an unearned A+. While it's true that teachers might like the job of punishment to be handed to students, they might just focus on coming into school, and becoming the new detective. Suppose a student looks at their homework, thinking it's too hard. The homework is know just forgotten about, figuring they'll report someone to get that point back. Is that what you want students to do? Of course not! School is for learning, not spying. ==

==If that's not enough to convince you, think about this: reports would constantly be sent to the principal for every little thing. It's possible that the principal would enjoy having little spies around the school to report to him, but more likely, after a while, it'll be a pain in the butt. Just because students want that extra point, the principal would have to go through piles of reports everyday! Students may even make up rumors or lies to report people for. Don't schools have enough of that already? Also put yourself in the teacher's shoes. If your kids are getting pulled out of your class each time, I don't think you'd like it! Not such a great idea now, huh? ==

==Although, just because there are many disadvantages to this new program, it doesn't mean this wasn't a great idea. Surely it'd help reduce some violence, bullying, and bad language in schools, but soon students will start to lie their way to a good grade. Different people have different opinions on whether this new program is a great idea or not, but think about the outcome of different scenarios. Even though Citizenship Credits seems like a great idea, the new program may just cause more problems, not less.==

=Sincerely,=

=Katrina=