The purpose of this paper is to examine the complex issue of discipline in American public schools in order to understand its effect on the black student and his human development. Discipline is one of the major problems in the educational system today. In the past, parents and teachers attempted to control children with reward and punishment, with fear rather than respect. An increase in the incidence of rebellious and disruptive behavior in the schools indicates that the old ways of dealing with and raising children are no longer effective. A case study of a 15 year old probationer illustrates how a boy became delinquent for a variety of reasons, including, in part, the school system. The special plight of the minority student is that black youth are clearly implicated in the area of crime and violence. Many young black men in the nation's prisons have presented problems for their families since they were children. Black parents have an obligation to be supportive of their children when the child is in need of an adult's compassion and guidance. Educators can also help by recognizing the child's immediate goals. Teachers need to learn the art of encouragement. Black educators, in particular, must make a special effort to develop skills in bridging communication gaps between school and alienated youth. (Author/AM)