The stories of student escapades of by-gone days have left a reputation
that later pupils must live down. In fact, the pranks of today are, on
the whole, not so serious as those of the past, although teachers many
times are over-anxious about student conduct.
It is safe to assume that there is no criminality in the ordinary public
school pupil. By treating the breach of decorum of school rules as, in a
way, accidental, the actual restraint of pupils from serious excesses is
much more certain.
The opportunity of passing upon the nature of a misdeed in school is a
most valuable one, in view of the larger need of private judgment of
community activities which is required of every citizen. Teachers are in
the wrong when they demand that every prominent act of disobedience
shall be referred to them for final action. The natural right of private
judgment is defended by the usual horror of tattling. Consequently, a
teacher who sees all these facts will guard against infringement of
pupils’ rights at this point.