Urban schools mirror the communities they're in. Unfortunately, all too often that mean that violence and substance abuse make their way into our schools. Neither should be tolerated.
Most kids will pretty much do as the adults around them say provided the message is clear and consistent. And the message needs to be zero tolerance for violence. If there's a fight, all parties should be suspended, regardless of who started it. The message also needs to be no weapons allowed here, and not I don't want to see any weapons here. This implies active vigilance in weeding out those who carry knives, box cutters, and guns to school.
Restorative justice sounds nice, but from my experience, is rarely effective. It clouds the message for students, just as sending misbehavers to a "safe room" and serving them doughnuts. Given that so many of our youngsters are hungry, that alternative sounds too attractive and incites transgressions.
Not that suspensions need to separate students from their schools for very long. In fact, a suspension should be an excuse for a guidance conference with the kid and her family. The goal must be to return the student to her classes as quickly as possible.
These policies were in place during my 18 year tenure as the first Principal of The International High School at LaGuardia Community College. While there were a number of students each year who received a "Principal's Suspension," I am proud of the fact that during my nearly two decades at the school not a single student received the more serious and longer "Superintendent's Suspension."
Educators make a commitment to parent to serve in loco parentis; that is, in the place of a parent. As such, our primary responsibility is maintaining a safe environment for our students. When other students threaten that safety, the school needs to act decisively.
Submitted by:
Eric Nadelstern
Professor of Practice in Educational Leadership & Director of the Summer Principals Academy, Teachers College Columbia University
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