Summary: This article reports on two different studies – one in New York City and the other in Alabama – which take different approaches to handling student discipline. In New York, suspensions and arrests in city schools are down while in Alabama, many districts still adhere to zero tolerance policies with many suspensions and expulsions. …
Summary: The high numbers of suspensions in US schools have sparked an important debate among educators, physicians, and lawmakers on the effectiveness of Out of School Suspension (OSS), with particular emphasis on whether it does more harm than good. This article covers the history of school discipline and suggests some alternatives to suspension. Source: Adam …
Summary: This article explores the effects of taking a “zero tolerance” approach to disciplinary issues. This article also tell the story of Joe Clark and how he instituted zero tolerance in a Paterson, NJ high school. The question is are we to educate all students and does this mean we need to find a different …
The Unintended Consequences of Taking a Hard Line on School Discipline Read More »
Summary: This is a conversation with Dan Losen who says charters need to stop using zero-tolerance policies and suspending students at high rates. The zero tolerance policy know as “broken windows” often punishes students from minority groups as well as special education students at a disproportional rate. Losen refers to a new study in his comments …
Study: Time to End the Broken Windows Approach to School Discipline Read More »
Summary: The U.S. Department of Education kicked off a “Rethinking Discipline” campaign over the summer that could help bring attention to “restorative practices,” an alternative to the zero-tolerance policies that are standard practice in many schools. This article advocates for the use of restorative practices rather than zero tolerance and reports on ongoing research conducted …
Rethinking Student Discipline and Zero Tolerance Read More »
Summary: This article reports on a decision by the Seattle School Board to end suspensions for elementary students for nonviolent offenses. This is partly in response to a concern about disproportionate treatment of minority groups for behavioral issues. Source: Kate Schimel, Education DIVE, September 25, 2015 Categories: Codes of Conduct, Student Behavior, Zero Tolerance Description: …
Seattle Ends Suspensions for Elementary Students Read More »
Summary: This article provides information on an American Civil Liberties lawsuit stemming from the overuse of restraint by a school resource officer in Kentucky. The officer was shown in a video to use handcuffs to restrain a student with ADHD. Source: Christina A. Samuels, Education Week. August 19, 2015 Issue Categories: Codes of Conduct, Zero …
Handcuffing of Students Reignites Debate on Use of Restraint Read More »
Summary: As national conversations over race and discipline gain steam, schools have a variety of choices. This article identifies four programs that have the potential to help school districts provide equal access, treatment, and opportunity for ALL students. Source: Kate Schimel, Education DIVE, August 12, 2015 Categories: Codes of Conduct, Zero Tolerance Description: The national …
Summary: The choice to move away from zero tolerance punishments is gaining traction nationally. The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest in the nation, recently announced it would move away from a zero tolerance punishment plan. Henceforth, students caught participating in low level offenses would be directed toward work with a school guidance …
Beyond zero tolerance punishments: Suggestions for administrators Read More »
