As an educator from the south, teaching at a primarily African American public school, I can attest to the validity of this experience. I work in the metro Atlanta area, where corporal punishment has been outlawed for a while (definitely a good thing). This year our administrators are “encouraging” us to limit the number of discipline referrals. Which leaves us with relatively few options when it comes to maintaining a positive learning environment. I can call parents and take away phones, but if the parents don’t respond, I cannot impose any consequences.

At the same time, handing over work to be completed during in school or out of school suspension is worthless. Students rarely complete it, even with a monitor in our ISS room. Even if they do complete it, they don’t really learn the material.

So please, someone figure out how I, as a classroom teacher of minority students in a cash-strapped school, can keep the peace and make sure my students have at least the opportunity to learn something.