School arrests, expulsions decline but racial disparities in discipline exist

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2 responses to “School arrests, expulsions decline but racial disparities in discipline exist”

1. Just another view from a Norwalk resident

   February 13, 2015

   Sorry, but a little better analysis of the report’s conclusion and underlying data is required in this article.

   From the title of this article, it sounds like there has been a decline in “school arrests” which I read to say the number of students arrested in CT schools has declined. But I’m not so sure and neither is the author of the “report” CT Voices for Children.

   If you read an article in today’s Hour, Bruce Morris, a human relations officer in Norwalk Public schools is quoted as saying “(a) arrest doesn’t necessarily mean it was a school-based arrest…….. The police department is required to notify schools if a student is arrested ……. even if it happens off school grounds…” As a result, the numbers reported by the state includes student arrests both on and off school campuses. In fact getting better data is one of the recommendations of the report of CT Voices for Children; “Improve data collection by clearly defining “student arrests” (not currently defined by the state) and collecting and publishing data on all student arrests (currently not required for all incidents resulting in arrests).”

   So yes, the good news is the number of students arrested in this state have declined but, unfortunately, a higher proportion of arrests are minority students. And yes, school districts need to review their policies to keep more of these kids in school where they can learn and become productive members of our community. Keeping kids out of school does nothing to help them succeed in life.

   So Nancy, I’d like to know what is our BOE doing to keep kids in school and learning.

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2. Robert

   May 23, 2015

   The article states that “The number of students suspended or expelled from schools has declined, as have in-school arrests, but minority students face disciplinary action more often than their white peers….”
   Comments:
   1. This brings up an interesting question. Is it our goal to reduce inappropriate classroom behavior or is it to reduce the number of suspended or expelled students? The two are not necessary the same. If we are only concerned about suspensions and expulsions, then we can reduce this number by changing the rules.
   2. A reasonable question is to ask is, “Why has the number of suspended or expelled students declined? Are there fewer incidents or are the incidents being handled without being suspended or expelled?” If the answer is that the incidents are being handled without suspensions or expulsions, then inappropriate classroom behavior may not have decreased and may have actually increased.
   3. Why do “minority students face disciplinary action more often than their white peers….”? Is the inappropriate behavior something that only happens in Connecticut or is it a national or even an international issue? Most readers must realize that this is common throughout the world. In general, wherever there are blacks, they are violent and destructive.

   The plan of keeping children in class by reducing or eliminating the traditional discipline for disruptive classroom behavior will fail.

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