Reply to Seeking an update on Hardy Middle School

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think it's fantastic that one of his accomplishments is a r[b]eduction in suspensions[/b]. That's great news!

Signed, 
Parent whose kids attend a WOTP ES and the idea of suspensions is something I didn't even know I needed to consider until I started getting the sales pitches on going IB to Hardy.[/quote]

And what is that a 'fantastic accomplishment'?  From what I observe almost daily on the sidewalks of Tenleytown, DC schools, particularly Wilson, could use more suspensions -- and even expulsions![/quote]

Wow the reactionary and racist nature of DCUM never fails but still surprises me.  One of the least effective ways to change behavior is through suspensions and expulsions.  In fact, it reinforces and extends the behavior issues.  The point is to address the antecedents to prevent the 'need' for these actions.  Which starts with stopping thinking from a racist mindset of thinking of kids who have not been supported to succeed in school and/or home as 'thugs'

[/quote]

I disagree. This is not about being racist. It's about dealing with the abhorrent behavior of the few who are interfering with the majority's  right to an education. FWIW, in DC this majority happens to be sweet, bright and creative children of color.  
There has and continues to be a campaign to reduce the amount of suspensions across the board in DCPS so this new principal's approach is nothing groundbreaking. Central office is sending the same ant-suspension message to all leadership. It's a DCPS initiative that despite best intentions only succeeds on paper to say . " look how great we are ..we have reduced our suspension rate by x percent this year".  It gives a false sense that the schools have significantly less behavior problems and casts schools in an ambient light. Instead of finding real solutions we end up with data we can brag on.
I get that the kids with behavior problems need help BUT and this is a very big BUT...they don't get it. Furthermore, the rest of the kids see that troublemakers don't face consequences for their bad behavior which is confusing and perpetuates even more bad behavior. This is the recipe for mayhem that most schools are seeing because behavior problems are out. of. control. So it's not a racist approach. I agree with the wonderful statement made by the young teacher earlier. Separate the troublemakers from the rest and put them in small classrooms so that even they can learn and they don't infringe on everyone else's learning![/quote]

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