Restorative Justice is struggling to show success in MCPS according to students, parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

No, we are talking about an entire system.

As for your 7 year olds, how will they learn without consequences? Expulsions and suspensions may not be appropriate, but what we have created is a system in which students face no true consequence for their behavior. Trust me: RJ circles are NOT a consequence. I actually had a kid (the perpetrator at the time) tell me they are funny.

Consequences correct behaviors. They simply do. They also show other students that rules mean something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

If you read back a few posts you'll see this was about kids in early elementary school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

RJ was used at our ES to address bullying and worked wonders.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

RJ was used at our ES to address bullying and worked wonders.

MCPS own numbers show that it's not working. Anecdotal experience means nothing to the general. - dp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

RJ was used at our ES to address bullying and worked wonders.

MCPS own numbers show that it's not working. Anecdotal experience means nothing to the general. - dp

Also, ES kids are more open minded for RJ type resolutions. Try getting a teenager to open up their feelings in front of each other. I swear, these adults who are supposed to be experts at dealing with teens no nothing about teens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a video on YouTube of the county's working session on these issues yesterday.

Could anyone who watched the video say if they presented opposing views on RJ or was it all rainbows and sunshine?

This was the first of many discussions. The RJ office provided a status and informational update, which was very much rainbows and sunshine. Following this, MCPD presented data on the CEO program and arrests made this year. The county council members then raised numerous questions. Further meetings will be scheduled, potentially in June, during which the council has requested additional data, and suggested that school administrators also be present to provide thoughts on what is working and what is not. With the exception of Jawando, council members expressed concerns about the implementation of RJ. Jawando, on the other hand, was more focused on obtaining arrest data by race/ethnicity and the disproportionate number of suspensions affecting black and brown students. The number of weapon incidents alone in this school year, 218, is a worrying statistic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

RJ was used at our ES to address bullying and worked wonders.

When the number of arrests are up and when suspension rates for black and brown students are still high with no improvement, then it's not working.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

RJ was used at our ES to address bullying and worked wonders.

MCPS own numbers show that it's not working. Anecdotal experience means nothing to the general. - dp

I just listened to the board meeting this very week and that was not at all what they said. Please stop trying to sell your agenda and stick with facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

RJ was used at our ES to address bullying and worked wonders.

When the number of arrests are up and when suspension rates for black and brown students are still high with no improvement, then it's not working.

I heard that arrests are way down because they never call the police. Now I don't know what to believe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

RJ was used at our ES to address bullying and worked wonders.

When the number of arrests are up and when suspension rates for black and brown students are still high with no improvement, then it's not working.

I heard that arrests are way down because they never call the police. Now I don't know what to believe.

You got the second part right. Calls are down (because schools haven't been calling the police as much). The alarming fact though is that arrests are up: https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2023/03/school-safety-update-shows-jump-in-arrests-in-montgomery-county/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

RJ was used at our ES to address bullying and worked wonders.

When the number of arrests are up and when suspension rates for black and brown students are still high with no improvement, then it's not working.

I heard that arrests are way down because they never call the police. Now I don't know what to believe.

You got the second part right. Calls are down (because schools haven't been calling the police as much). The alarming fact though is that arrests are up: https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2023/03/school-safety-update-shows-jump-in-arrests-in-montgomery-county/

At the board meeting, they said RJ had helped reduce these problems because it's preventative. Calls are down because of RJ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SSuspension and referral data does not reflect much in the schools at the moment. The referral process has been minimized or ignored in my cases. Teachers arent even trained on it. Schools cant suspend unless they get approval from central office. Calling police for investigations/ arrests and ambulances for emergencies can't be manipulated easily. So, it is the only useful data in my opinion. MCPS and MoCo admin wants to see RJ as successful and see success in reducing the school to prison pipeline. However, I have a feeling the data doesnt support that possibility yet. It could in the future is RJ is actually implemented, but that is very, very hard to do. It is a relatively lengthy process for the individuals involved and schools have difficulty committing the resources and gaining buy in from students.

THIS! We have physical altercations in my elementary school between students and zero suspensions. About ten students make it feel like the entire school is being help captive by small children. If we suspended as we should, the data would be horrible looking.

So you think suspending these kids would help reduce the problem?

The 5% of students who are repeat offenders “stir the pot” and pull in the 20% of kids who are marginal but see the master manipulators getting away with it. So, poor behavior becomes normalized and makes learning difficult for everyone. Suspension often is a punishment for parents since it inconveniences them. This finally makes them get involved with their kids instead of just dumping them off. Suspension doesn’t help the offenders but it can help the rest of the school function. Some of the worst offenders can basically ruin the day for admin, teachers and other students.

I'm glad your elaborating here, because we're talking about ES kids like 7 year olds.

Not in MCPS. MCPS uses Restorative Justice in MS and HS.

It was used on my elementary school child. It failed miserable. We are still dealing with the fallout from it.

RJ was used at our ES to address bullying and worked wonders.

When the number of arrests are up and when suspension rates for black and brown students are still high with no improvement, then it's not working.

I heard that arrests are way down because they never call the police. Now I don't know what to believe.

You got the second part right. Calls are down (because schools haven't been calling the police as much). The alarming fact though is that arrests are up: https://wtop.com/montgomery-county/2023/03/school-safety-update-shows-jump-in-arrests-in-montgomery-county/

It’s terrific that calls are down…as long as actual incidents are down rather than administrators being hesitant to make the call out of fear of repercussions from mcps.

But the incident information remains troubling—particularly since arrests are up.

While I’m all for Jawando’s request for demographic info, I think disproportionately should be anticipated given that we don’t have white and Asian gangs in high schools. Presumably most arrests at school are gang related.