Black boys discipline records tend to be longer than their academic achievements and this must change.
Teachers complain about discipline with their Black boys often. The U.S. Dept of Ed and Schott Foundation Reports that 59% of Black boys and 42% of Hispanic boys report being suspended.
Discipline infractures range from talking in class to physical alternations. All of this is on their discipline record when they transfer schools and/or move on to the next level of education.
Black boys perform well when we create the best atmospheres to do it.
According to the (NCES), girls outperform boys in grades and homework at all levels. I believe it because we expect girls to be academically engaged after school hours where we allow boys to run and play because that’s what’s expected of them to do.
Our expectations don’t align with how we implement academic goals for Black boys.
School leaders also make the assumption that Black boys act out and can’t focus in school because they are poor or come from single parent households. That’s not true.
3 Areas that Can Help
Restorative Justice is important in helping teach students conflict resolution. We can no longer place our youth in a position where entertainment is their primary source of how to resolve issues with others. A great way to use restorative justice within the school program is through classroom management, athletics and P.E./wellness department.
PBIS supports restorative justice work. Positive behavior intervention support builds in effective discipline models that correct poor behaviors and decision-making. PBIS is mostly used in middle school but the best practices should begin as early as third grade.
No Place for Hate is something every school, traditional public and charter needs right now amidst the climate within America. Inclusiveness must be a part of the school’s culture in order for every student and family to feel like that belong.
Jason has worked in education for over 15 years as a teacher, blogger and community advocate. He speaks and writes primarily about the need to improve education for Black boys, particularly increasing the number of Black male educators in schools. In addition to blogging here at EdLanta, Jason is also a featured writer at Education Post.