Sparing the Rod

MANIFESTO

From this morning's Courant,

Legislation now headed to Gov. M. Jodi Rell would forbid local school districts from issuing out-of-school suspensions for minor violations of school rules.

The bill was approved Tuesday by the state House of Representatives in a 111-to-29 vote. It passed the Senate last week.

Local school districts can suspend student who violate school board policy or disrupt the educational process. Some education advocates have complained that school districts are issuing out-of-school suspensions for minor infractions, such as talking back to a teacher, skipping class or being tardy.

Advocates also say out-of-school suspensions alienate troubled students from school and can discourage them from pursuing their educations.

The legislation permits school districts to issue out-of-school suspensions only if a student poses a danger to others or is extremely disruptive.

Public schools in Connecticut issued more than 77,000 out-of-school suspensions in 2005-06, according to the state Department of Education.

So, in effect, the micromanaging solons of Connecticut's legislature have sanctioned the inmates running the asylum. The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education thinks the bill is ludicrous; I can only hope that its opinions carry some weight, but we'll see.