BREAKING NEWS: SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS PROVEN TO TURN BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS INTO CRIMINALS

 

BREAKING NEWS: SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS PROVEN TO TURN BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS INTO CRIMINALS 

In a shocking report published in Criminology in June 2023, Benjamin W. Fisher and Alex O. Widdowson have found that school suspensions are turning Black and Hispanic students into criminals. That's right, folks, the very act of suspending a student from school is amplifying their risk of later arrest! Who knew detention could be so dangerous?

According to the report, White students are immune to the criminalizing effects of suspension. In fact, some White students have even reported feeling rejuvenated after a suspension, like they've been given a new lease on life. It's almost like they've been to a spa instead of being punished for bad behavior.

But for Black and Hispanic students, the story is very different. The label of "suspended student" is consistent with stereotypes that link Blackness to criminality and Hispanic people to illegality. It's like the school is saying, "Hey, you're already a criminal, might as well lean into it." And that's not fair.

So what can schools do to avoid turning their students into hardened criminals? The report suggests alternatives to suspension, like restorative chats, counseling, problem solving/contracting, co-learning, and school service. But let's be real, those all sound like boring alternatives. Here are some more exciting options:

1. Dance Party: Instead of suspending a student, throw them a dance party. It's hard to be a criminal when you're doing the cha-cha slide.

2. Karaoke Competition: Give the suspended student a chance to show off their pipes. Who knows, they might be the next American Idol.

3. Paintball Tournament: Nothing says "let's work out our issues" like shooting paint at each other.

4. Escape Room Challenge: Put the suspended student's problem-solving skills to the test with an escape room challenge. If they can escape the room, they can escape a life of crime.

5. Celebrity Chef Showdown: Have the suspended student compete in a cooking competition judged by celebrity chefs. If they can make a mean risotto, they can make something of themselves.

These alternatives may seem unconventional, but they're sure to be more effective than simply sending a student home for a few days. Plus, it'll make school a lot more fun for everyone involved.

In all seriousness, school policies need to address the racial and ethnic disparities in the use of suspension and other forms of exclusionary discipline. The labeling process has different effects by race and ethnicity, and it's not fair that some students are being set up for a life of crime while others get off scot-free.

Let's make school a place where all students can thrive, regardless of their race or ethnicity. And let's do it without turning them into criminals in the process.

Education Research Report: School suspensions amplify Black, Hispanic students’ risk of later arrest https://educationresearchreport.blogspot.com/2023/06/school-suspensions-amplify-black.html 

Big Education Ape: HAVING 'THE MAN' ON CAMPUS ARE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS (SROs) AND/OR CAMPUS POLICE NECESSARY http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/having-man-on-campus-are-school.html 

THE DEFT DIVE

According to the report by Benjamin W. Fisher and Alex O. Widdowson, published in Criminology in June 2023², the major finding is that **school suspension amplifies Black and Hispanic students' risk of later arrest relative to White students**, whose risk of arrest is not amplified by suspension and in some cases is even diminished³. The authors used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997 (N = 8,634) and found that the link between suspension and subsequent arrest was strongest for Black and Hispanic students because the label conferred by schools’ suspension of students is consistent with prevailing stereotypes that link Blackness to criminality and Hispanic people to illegality¹. The authors suggest that suspension is particularly harmful for Black and Hispanic relative to White students and that the labeling process has different effects by race and ethnicity².

Bing, 6/28/2023

(1) Racial and ethnic differences in the consequences of school suspension .... https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1745-9125.12344.

(2) School suspensions amplify Black, Hispanic students' risk of later .... https://phys.org/news/2023-06-school-suspensions-amplify-black-hispanic.html.

(3) School suspensions amplify Black, Hispanic st | EurekAlert!. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/993717.

(4) Ethnic identity tied to disparities in school suspensions among Florida .... https://phys.org/news/2022-09-ethnic-identity-tied-disparities-school.html.

(5) School Suspension in Florida: The Interactive Effects of Race .... https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336879237_School_Suspension_in_Florida_The_Interactive_Effects_of_Race_Ethnicity_Gender_and_Academic_Achievement.

Some possible implications of this finding for school policies are:

• - School policies should consider **alternatives to suspension** where possible to avoid the negative effects of labeling and stigmatizing students, especially Black and Hispanic students²³.
• - School policies should adopt **restorative approaches** following a suspension experience to reintegrate students into prosocial communities and reduce their exposure to deviant peers².
• - School policies should address the **racial and ethnic disparities** in the use of suspension and other forms of exclusionary discipline, and examine how they may reflect and reinforce prevailing stereotypes¹⁴.
• - School policies should evaluate the **effectiveness and consequences** of suspension as a behavioral management tactic, and consider how it may impact students' academic achievement, dropout rates, and college attendance¹³.

 Bing, 6/28/2023

(1) Collateral Consequences of School Suspension: Examining the ‘Knifing .... https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12103-020-09579-5.

(2) Student Suspensions Have Negative Consequences, According to NYC Study .... https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/student-suspensions-have-negative-consequences-according-nyc-study.

(3) School Discipline Linked to Later Consequences. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/19/09/school-discipline-linked-later-consequences.

(4) School suspensions amplify Black, Hispanic students' risk of later .... https://phys.org/news/2023-06-school-suspensions-amplify-black-hispanic.html.

Some examples of alternatives to suspension are:

• - **Restorative chat**: A strategy that helps the student understand the harm done by their actions and allows them an opportunity to repair this harm, such as by apologizing, making amends, or participating in a mediation process⁴.
• - **Counseling**: A strategy that provides the student with access to mental health care and support, and helps them address the underlying causes of their behavior, such as trauma, substance misuse, or emotional issues¹³.
• - **Problem solving/contracting**: A strategy that involves the student in identifying the problem behavior, its consequences, and possible solutions, and then creating a written agreement or contract that specifies the expectations, goals, and rewards for changing the behavior¹.
• - **Co-learning**: A strategy that engages the student in academic activities that are relevant, meaningful, and challenging, and that foster positive relationships with peers and teachers¹.
• - **School service**: A strategy that assigns the student to perform tasks that benefit the school community, such as assisting custodial staff, tutoring younger students, or organizing school events¹².

Bing, 6/28/2023

(1) Alternatives to Suspension: Three effective strategies for ... - NASSP. https://www.nassp.org/publication/principal-leadership/volume-16-2015-2016/principal-leadership-october-2015/alternatives-to-suspension-three-effective-strategies-for-changing-student-behavior/.

(2) Creative Alternative Strategies to School Suspensions. https://www.kickboardforschools.com/classroom-behavior-management/creative-alternative-strategies-to-school-suspensions/.

(3) Alternatives To Suspension | PBIS World. https://www.pbisworld.com/tier-2/alternatives-to-suspension/.

(4) Suspension Alternatives: It's Time To Reconsider Them - WeAreTeachers. https://www.weareteachers.com/suspension-alternatives/.

(5) PPT - Alternatives to Suspension PowerPoint Presentation ... - SlideServe. https://www.slideserve.com/harvey/alternatives-to-suspension.

(6) Alternatives to Suspension - [PPT Powerpoint] - vdocuments.net. https://vdocuments.net/alternatives-to-suspension-56baa6fc1ef1d.html.

WILL PUBLIC EDUCATION SURVIVE THE BILLIONAIRE'S CHARTER SCHOOL AND VOUCHER ASSAULT

WILL PUBLIC EDUCATION SURVIVE THE BILLIONAIRE'S CHARTER SCHOOL AND VOUCHER ASSAULT  

If you thought the future of public education in America was all doom and gloom, think again! There's a movement afoot by billionaires to privatize public education and turn it into a profit center for capitalism. And if that doesn't make you laugh, we don't know what will!

But seriously, folks, there are pros and cons to this whole privatization thing. On the one hand, it could lead to more competition and innovation in education. On the other hand, it could mean the end of public education as we know it. So let's take a closer look.

First off, let's talk about the billionaires. These guys are all about making money, and they see education as a ripe opportunity to do just that. They're pouring millions into charter schools, which are privately run but publicly funded. And they're pushing for vouchers, which would allow parents to use public funds to send their kids to private schools.

Now, some people think this is a great idea. They say it will give parents more choice and force public schools to up their game. But others worry that it will lead to a two-tiered education system, where only the rich can afford a decent education.

And then there's technology. Some folks think that online schools and other tech-based alternatives will revolutionize education. They say it will make learning more accessible and personalized. But others worry that it will lead to even more screen time for kids and less face-to-face interaction.

So what's the verdict? Honestly, we don't know. But we do know that there are plenty of alternatives to public education out there already. You've got your charter schools, your magnet schools, your military academies, your boarding schools, your private schools, and your tutoring services. And let's not forget homeschooling!

Of course, each of these alternatives has its own pros and cons. Charter schools may offer more freedom and flexibility, but they also have less oversight. Private schools may offer better resources and smaller class sizes, but they also come with a hefty price tag.

And then there's homeschooling. We won't lie, folks, this one can be a bit of a wild card. On the one hand, you get to be your kid's teacher and customize their education to their needs and interests. On the other hand, you have to be your kid's teacher and customize their education to their needs and interests.

So what's the bottom line? Well, we're not here to tell you what to do with your kids' education. But we do think it's important to remember that public education is a cornerstone of our democracy. It's where kids from all walks of life come together to learn and grow. And while it may not be perfect, we think it's worth fighting for.

So whether you're a billionaire looking to make a buck or a parent looking for the best education for your child, remember this: education is not a commodity. It's a right. And it's up to all of us to make sure that right is protected and upheld for generations to come.

In conclusion, the future of public education in America is uncertain, but one thing is clear: we need to continue to invest in our public schools. While alternatives like charter schools, vouchers, and technology may provide some benefits, they are not a panacea for the challenges facing our education system. We need to work together to ensure that all children have access to a high-quality education, regardless of their background or zip code. 

I say please don't let the billionaires turn our public schools to The Hunger Games with their charter schools and voucher schemes. 

The Destruction Of Education And Democracy In The US - MintPress News. https://www.mintpressnews.com/education-and-democracy/37712/.

The Republican Plan To Devastate Public Education in America. https://newrepublic.com/article/167375/republican-plan-devastate-public-education-america.

Public education is facing a crisis of epic proportions. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/01/30/public-education-crisis-enrollment-violence/.

History and Evolution of Public Education in the US. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED606970.pdf.

The War on Public Schools - The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/10/the-war-on-public-schools/537903/.

There are many opinions on the state of public education in America. Some believe that public education is being commodified into another profit center¹. Others believe that American public education is in poor shape today because of cultural and social trends, most beginning in the 1960s, which destroyed classroom discipline, the moral basis for education, and a national consensus on what students should learn². Some believe that cutting public education spending by more than half would destroy public schools for millions of students³. 

What Parents Need to Know About School Vouchers - U.S. News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/articles/what-parents-need-to-know-about-school-vouchers.

What Do We Know About Vouchers and Charter Schools? - RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB8018.html.

The current landscape of school choice in the United States. https://kappanonline.org/current-landscape-school-choice-united-states-vouchers-charter-schools-berends/.

Vouchers May Be The Next Big Education Reform. Have Charter Schools .... https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/03/07/vouchers-may-be-the-next-big-education-reform-have-charter-schools-been-left-behind/.

HOUSTON ISD: FIRST MONTH OF THE HOSTILE STATE TAKEOVER AND OCCUPATION BY MEATAXE MIKE MILES

HOUSTON ISD: FIRST MONTH OF THE HOSTILE STATE TAKEOVER AND OCCUPATION BY MEATAXE MIKE MILES

Ladies and gentlemen, hold onto your hats because we have a wild story for you today. It's a tale of hostile takeovers, meat axes, and yes men. That's right, we're talking about the recent occupation of the Houston Independent School District by the state of Texas.

The state decided to install their own guy, a certain MeatAxe Mike Miles, as the czar of the district. Now, if you're not familiar with ole MeatAxe Mike , let us fill you in. He's the same guy who used a meat axe to chop up the Dallas Independent School District. And by meat axe, we mean he made some pretty drastic changes that left a lot of people unhappy.

But Mike Miles is back, and he's badder than ever. He's promised to replace all the principals in Houston with his own "yes men." We're not sure what qualifications these yes men have, but we're guessing they're pretty good at nodding their heads and saying "yes, boss."

But that's not all. Mike Miles is also planning to install a two-tier salary system to screw with the union and divide the teachers. Because, you know, nothing brings people together like a good old-fashioned salary divide.

Now, we don't want to be too negative here, but we should mention that state takeovers of school districts seldom produce any positive changes in school operations. In fact, they often lead to more privatization and division in the district.

But hey, who needs positive changes when you've got a meat axe-wielding czar and his army of yes men? We're sure they'll figure it all out eventually. Or not.

In conclusion, we hope this story has entertained you and maybe even made you chuckle a bit. We'll be keeping an eye on the situation in Houston and we'll let you know if anything else wild and crazy happens. Until then, stay tuned and keep laughing.

Houston ISD's new superintendent wants to use same polarizing approach he applied in Dallas schools https://abc13.com/houston-isd-state-takeover-of-hisd-largest-district-in-texas-mike-miles/13410708/ 

HISD says termination messages were mistakenly sent to employees in 'communications system failure' https://abc13.com/houston-isd-employees-fired-communications-system-failure-hisd-statement-employment-termination-messages/13433046/ 

New HISD superintendent announces new principals, says more staffing changes to come https://abc13.com/new-education-system-hisd-takeover-texas-takes-over-houston-isd-tea/13434806/ 

Former DISD Superintendent's Past Scrutinized https://dallasexpress.com/education/former-disd-superintendents-past-scrutinized/ 

Big Education Ape: BREAKING NEWS: TEA TAKES OVER HISD, PLANS TO RENAME IT THE 'MIKE DISTRICT' https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/breaking-news-tea-takes-over-hids-plans.html 

Big Education Ape: BROADIE COWBOY MIKE MILES ORDERED TO HOUSTON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PRIVATIZE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/broadie-cowboy-mike-miles-ordered-to.html

Big Education Ape: HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM: THE RACIST HOSTILE TAKEOVER OF HISD https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/houston-we-have-problem-racist-hostile.html 

Big Education Ape: HISD MILES FIRST MOVE: BRING IN THE BILLIONAIRES' PRIVATIZER ATTACK DOGS https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/hisd-miles-first-move-bring-in.html 

Big Education Ape: THE HOSTILE STATE TAKEOVER AND OCCUPATION OF HISD: REMEMBER DEMOCRACY...KIND OF NICE WASN'T IT https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/the-hostile-state-takeover-and.html 

Big Education Ape: CHAPTER 3 BILLIONAIRES PLAYBOOK: MIKE MILES DOES DALLAS NOW HUMPING HOUSTON https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/06/chapter-3-billionaires-playbook-mike.html