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And the parents would rather scream racism than deal with the fact that their son is seriously troubled and is heading toward more (at least he was not criminally prosecuted). You know, I'm black, and somehow I managed to go through thirteen years of schooling without a single suspension. This kid could have too if he stayed out of trouble and his parents woke up and dealt with their son's problems.

Cases like this are why I didn't become a teacher, as much as I liked the other aspects of the work.

Thanks for your post here, LWalk18. I know many black kids manage to get through school without throwing a punch, but I also know many of the ones who do will scream racism -- and, threaten a law$uit -- and, suddenly, that parent(s) finds the time to come to $chool when there was never any time to do so before.

Also, see the link in my reply #1, as this is a serious porblem, and is the reason why some experienced teachers are now leaving the teaching profession. Thanks again for your post.

Thanks, summer- One point that was not addressed in that very bias article- what are the suspension rates at schools with black principals and faculty. I went to high school with a black principal and guess what- same disparity existed. It's not racism- it's behavior that begins early and is protected, if not encouraged by the parents (or parent). I can tell you of the number of teachers that I have had that are out of teaching...and I've been out of high school for only five years...because of the discipinary problems. Even the ones who attempted to be "down" with their students would be victimized...my young Calculus teacher was like that and she ended up getting her car stolen by one of the thugs in her other classes. I remember when our class would come in she would be in tears from the other (standard and lower) classes.

I can go on and on about my high school...the thug contingent was awful and disrupted teachers and real students. My mom worked as a substitute teacher and she can give you horror stories...and this was middle and elementary school!