SCUSD Observer
Improving the District, step by step… school discipline
I thought I would begin with a topic I confront everyday – school discipline. As a juvenile justice attorney, the security of the school environment is central to the work I do. Also, as a parent, assurance that your child will be safe and secure at his or her school is of paramount importance. This article is an attempt to look more deeply into the issue of school discipline.
At this time, with our school district budget hemorrhaging dollars, we must refocus on those programs and people who can help realize student success without additional cost. School disruptions and discipline is an area where a rededicated effort ensures that we do not unnecessarily lose kids from our district while strengthening the school site toward our goal of academic achievement for every student.
I am aware that our district has policies in regard to school discipline. However, after consultation and research, I believe that the school district still does not devote enough attention and thought to the issue. There lacks an ongoing commitment to school discipline issues where school sites are left without proper support, and partnerships and consistency are neglected. And in the end, our students suffer.
A proper school discipline program must be flexible, built into the school structure and administered fairly across schools, individuals and grade levels. Non-disruptive students should not be harmed by those youth who fail to heed the school structure. At the same time, the public education system must strive to