A demerit is a point given to a student as a penalty for bad behavior within a school discipline system. Under this once common practice, a student is given a number of merits at the beginning of the school term, and a certain number of merits are deducted for every infraction committed. Schools use the demerit record within a point-based system to punish misbehavior. After a certain number of demerits are accumulated, the student is given detention, loss of privileges (e.g., being denied field trips and participation in school events), or some other punishment based on the seriousness and frequency of the infraction.
Demerit systems are typically structured with escalating consequences. Minor infractions such as tardiness, being unprepared for class, or dress code violations may result in a small number of demerit points, while more serious offenses such as using inappropriate language or violating administrative policies may carry higher point values. Once a student reaches a predetermined threshold of demerits, a corresponding disciplinary action is triggered.
Criticisms
Several criticisms have been raised against demerit systems. One criticism is that they create bookkeeping problems and can result in students receiving severe punishments for minor infractions. Another criticism is that older adolescents may learn how to manipulate a demerit system. Critics also note that demerits can wear parents down with constant parental meetings and leave students behind due to missed instructional time as a consequence of punishments such as detention and suspension. Additionally, some educators argue that demerit systems focus on punishment rather than addressing the underlying causes of misbehavior or building positive relationships with students.
References
- Rosen, Louis (2005). School Discipline: Best Practices for Administrators, Second Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press. ISBN 1412913489.
- Deakin, Jo; Taylor, Emmeline; Kupchik, Aaron (2018). The Palgrave International Handbook of School Discipline, Surveillance, and Social Control. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9783319715582.
- "The Demise of the Demerit". Archived from the original on 2020-06-14. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
- "Riverdale School District - Demerit System". Archived from the original on 2019-10-10. Retrieved 2019-10-10.
