Proposal would prohibit expulsions for attendance, academic performance

CAT Tracks Editor's Note:

While Illinois politicians and not-in-the-classroom "educators" pass/consider new laws to protect trouble-makers...

...they need to consider the law of unintended consequences.

Making it harder for school officials to remove disinterested and/or disruptive students from the learning environment simply means that those students will have to engage in even more outrageous behavior to get suspended or expelled.

With apologies to the old saying about horses, water, and drinking...

...you can lead students to an education, but you can't make them think.

Okay, Okay, do you think me harsh?

Well, you are not alone.

Education author/speaker Alfie Kohn eloquently states the do-gooders' case:

From Education Week

Why Punishment Won't Stop a Bully - Punitive discipline for bullies can be counterproductive

I'm sorry, Alfie, but we shall agree to disagree.

Poor attendance, poor grades, yes, we should (and do) try to get to the root causes and effect change.

But...

...those who repeatedly misbehave, those who "cry out for attention", detention, suspension, and expulsion?

Well, I'm sorry, they need a "time out"...

...and, eventually, it may simply be time for them to go.

The students who come to school to learn have rights too...

...and as long as they remain the majority, well, the few bad apples need to be removed.

Alfie Kohn would probably cite Dr. Spock in support for his point of view.

Me?

Hey, it's only logical: