Submitted by Kristi (not verified) on April 14, 2008 - 10:15.
I am a teacher of students with special needs, and I'm a parent of a student who is often in trouble in school (and has had OSS!). Regarding OSS, there are times when there aren't a lot of other options available to principals, especially with regards to dangerous behaviors. Trust me, my son's one suspension was not a holiday or day off for him: what happens at home for suspension is up to the parents - how kids will view suspension, etc. often reflects how parents feel about it. Having said that, it is not a realistic punishment for the majority of American families who have either one parent only (and he/she works) or two parents who work - who's getting punished? The same is true of Saturday school (though in theory it's a great idea).
In my opinion (which I have learned doesn't mean a whole lot) OSS should only be used in the case of DANGEROUS students as was mentioned by another person, above. But what is suspension doing to change the situation? It may work to temporarily remove the danger from school, but it is certainly not a long-term solution. Kristi in Virginia
Student suspensions
Submitted by Kristi (not verified) on April 14, 2008 - 10:15.
I am a teacher of students with special needs, and I'm a parent of a student who is often in trouble in school (and has had OSS!). Regarding OSS, there are times when there aren't a lot of other options available to principals, especially with regards to dangerous behaviors. Trust me, my son's one suspension was not a holiday or day off for him: what happens at home for suspension is up to the parents - how kids will view suspension, etc. often reflects how parents feel about it. Having said that, it is not a realistic punishment for the majority of American families who have either one parent only (and he/she works) or two parents who work - who's getting punished? The same is true of Saturday school (though in theory it's a great idea).
In my opinion (which I have learned doesn't mean a whole lot) OSS should only be used in the case of DANGEROUS students as was mentioned by another person, above. But what is suspension doing to change the situation? It may work to temporarily remove the danger from school, but it is certainly not a long-term solution. Kristi in Virginia