The Blasio administration crowed that suspensions were down 50% and restorative justice programs were a success. The truth is that if you ask the teachers, their school student discipline is out of control and that principals cannot suspend a student without the DOE's approval. Moreover, the restorative justice programs are a joke as the misbehaving students quickly realize that there is little consequence for their misbehavior. Finally, the allowing of cellphones bring chaos and distractions to the classroom. Even the usually clueless UFT President Michael Mulgrew agreed that student discipline in NYC schools are out of control.
When I first started teaching a student that curses at a teacher would be suspended. A student threatened a teacher would be arrested, and a student who was insubordinate to a teacher would get after school suspension. Now all three student actions result in no consequences. Combine that with the DOE's "blame the teacher for everything" mindset and the poor quality of administrators, especially the Leadership Academy principals, and the result is a chaotic school environment.
Just read these articles Here and Here. and this teacher won a "substantial settlement" from the DOE because of misbehaving students and incompetent school administrators Here.
You can read some of my previous posts dealing with student discipline Here, Here and Here.
