lj115+CItizenship+Credits

=Dear Mr.Swan, =

= = =To minimize bullying and violence at schools, one school has proposed the idea of "Citizenship Credits", in which kids will provide information about people who use inappropriate language and behavior, or break rules. The credits can be collected and exchanged for extra points on your report card. Doesn't it sound like a great idea? Well, not to me.I believe that the Citizenship Credits are a bad idea. Credits? Forget it! = = = = = =Students will get grades raised without learning anything. Somebody could fail, and still get a good grade. I understand that some kids should get higher grades, but not in this way. Kids will not care about doing assignments. Do some kids really deserve A's just for tattling? This is not fair, because people should get the grades they deserve. = = = =Also, kids could spread rumors about other kids to get extra points. Wasn't the whole idea of this to stop rumors and other things like this? People will report the person who lied about them doing something bad. I understand that a lot of kids tell the truth, but some kids are willing to lie to get good grades. Worst-case scenario people will report everything, like "talking out of term", which could actually be coughing. Can you believe that some schools actually encouraging this? = = = =Another reason why Bedminster Township Public School should not have this policy is that people could have misconceptions, and get people in trouble. This could destroy friendships. A kid be told to do something, but somebody reports it, not-knowing.I get that people should not joke around with each other by saying " Shut up" or "Stop", but people should not report it! Do you really want to put kids in danger of punishments they do not deserve? This policy would make people misunderstand things and lead to negative results. = = = =Even though some people may get better grades and bullying may reduce, the majority of the outcomes will not be positive. Some kids may spread rumors already, but with this policy many more will begin. Is it that worth it to have these "Citizenship Credits" at our school, than to have kids actually learn in class, instead of getting a grade because of tattling? For the sake of our classmates and teachers, Bedminster Township Public School should not have Citizenship credits. =

=Sincerely, = =Lia, Sixth Grade Student =