By. Kandice Long Dec 3,2009 EDUC 320

Why the Change is Good 1. Keeping students actively engaged in learning is the best way to ensure a safe and orderly learning environment, and is the best way to reduce suspension and expulsion. 2. Out of school suspension has been proven to be ineffective in improving student behavior. 3. Out of school suspension can lead to lower rates of academic achievement. Youth out of school are more likely to smoke, to use substances (for example, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine), to engage in sexual intercourse, to become involved in physical fights, to carry a weapon, and are far more likely to commit crimes and be incarcerated. This is often referred to as the “school to prison” pipeline.

Why the Change is Good 4. Out of school suspension is disproportionately applied to African American and Latino students nationally and in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). African American and Latino students are more likely to be suspended for minor offenses such as disrespect or insubordination. Cultural competency training for teachers has been proven effective in reducing suspensions for infractions rooted in conflict over teacher’s or school staff members’ authority. 5. The Code of Student Conduct is in need of revision in its overall presentation as well as the content to enable the reduction of suspensions and expulsions. 6. PGCPS already exhibits many effective practices in preventing disruption and in reducing suspension and expulsion in some schools that can be adopted system-wide. 7. The primary purposes of student disciplinary processes are to educate the student, improve student behavior, and to ensure a peaceful environment in the school.

But does this bring Peace?

Why the change is Bad It has been said by numerous employees of the Prince Georges County school system that the new code allows the students to get away with fighting, and being insubordinate. Students now have more opportunities for. Parental contact by phone and written or oral notification to parent or guardian Behavioral probation Administrator/teacher/student conference Detention and/or Detention Hall Parent shadowing Exclusion from extracurricular activities Mediation Behavior contract Confiscation. Temporary removal of the student from classroom.

Why the change is Bad For offenses such as: Bullying Class Cutting/Truancy Defamation Disorderly Conduct Disrespect Disruptive Speech Dress Code Violation Fighting Forgery Gambling Harassment/Intimidation Indecent Exposure Insubordination Before the code was changed these offenses called for in school suspension and or out of school suspension. Since the change there has been three fight(students against teacher) in Prince Georges County. One teacher in Prince Georges County said “The High School I work at is equivalent to the movie “Lean on Me” staring Morgan freeman. Change needs to be made now”

References Pgcps.org rd rd 01.pdf 01.pdf