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At calm, focused schools, scores are high, but so is suspension rate
Students -- including those with disabilities -- are learning at Indiana schools that stress structure and good behavior. But suspension rates are high for students with disabilities.

Joanne Jacobs
5 days ago3 min read
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NOLA's post-Katrina reforms are working
New Orleans schools have improved dramatically since Katrina forced radical changes 20 years ago. That means going from "F" to "C."

Joanne Jacobs
Aug 293 min read
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Teachers back tougher discipline, violent students out of classrooms
Half of Colorado teachers say they've been injured by a student. A report calls for creating alternative spaces for disruptive and violent students.

Joanne Jacobs
Jul 242 min read
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Chaos: Is ADHD an excuse for punching classmate and a teacher?
Special-ed rules make it hard to suspend students for fighting, if parents know their rights.

Joanne Jacobs
May 223 min read
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Suspension rates vary: Is it racism, poverty or ... ?
Black students are suspended more than whites, but the disparities seem linked to behavior and family poverty rather than racism.

Joanne Jacobs
May 202 min read
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Surprise! It's not OK to punch the teacher or threaten to blow up the school
Attacking a school staffer or making a bomb threat will no longer be treated as a minor offense in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Joanne Jacobs
May 192 min read
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Teachers are fed up with student misbehavior, classroom chaos
The "new normal" of student behavior -- a toxic mix of disrespect, disruption, violence and apathy -- is driving teachers to despair,...

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 24, 20243 min read
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Portland will consider race, gender to 'support' disruptive students
Portland (OR) schools will design "support plans" for disruptive students that consider trauma, race, gender identity/presentation and...

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 7, 20232 min read
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None dare call it 'behaviour'
Students in Australia report "shocking levels of classroom disruption in international surveys," and schools face "a worsening teacher...

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 6, 20231 min read
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Ukrainian refugee girl flees unsafe San Francisco school
Yana and her mother fled Ukraine and found a new home with an aunt in San Francisco -- until the 13-year-old girl started Marina Middle...

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 22, 20233 min read
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'Challenging' students with disabilities are sent home (but not suspended)
Schools aren't supposed to suspend special-needs students if their misbehavior is related to their disability. But some schools use...

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 14, 20233 min read
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