Deliberate disobedience "could lead to consequences" for students; but probably won't.

Apparently, rumors of pending violence are running rampant in some APS schools.  Some of those rumors are undoubtedly being started by students just wanting to stir up trouble.  They do so in deliberate disobedience of the student standards of conduct established by the board of education and enforced by their superintendent and his administration.

APS Superintendent Winston Brooks has laid it out for students, their parents and anyone else who reads APS' news.

Rumors of violence at schools are unfounded, and students are reminded that spreading rumors of threats could lead to discipline.  (emphasis added)

I taught in APS for twenty-five years.  I wish I had a dollar for every time I heard an administrator tell students, if they misbehave, they could face discipline.

Ask a teacher or teaching assistant, what the probability is,
of that promised discipline being delivered.
APS is hiding their discipline records for a reason.

Brooks' quote above, appeared boldfaced in the news release header, link.

By the end of the release, his spine had stiffened a little;

Also remind students that they will face discipline for spreading unfounded rumors and gossip about the safety of others. (emphasis added)

Ask someone who works in a school, whether there is obedience.  Ask them whether chronically disruptive students and bullies ever face discipline.

If we want schools to be safe, students have to obey adults.  There have to be meaningful consequences for students who defy the authority of adults.

Brooks feels differently.  He expects his subordinates to dance to his whip or be fired, but when he imposed a discipline policy on middle schools, and established the authority of adults over students, he named insubordination and defiance of authority among the least consequential of misconduct; a "level one offense", link.

If we really want to end violence and bullying, if we really want to raise performance and graduation rates, the single most effective thing we can to is to restore order in schools; restore control to adults and strip it from deliberately disobedient students.

The school board isn't up to it,
Neither is Brooks.




photo Mark Bralley