by Betselot Wondimu ’15

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is currently making revisions to student discipline policies as part of a statewide effort to reduce the number of suspensions and expulsions and create positive school environments. Modifications to the Student Code of Conduct are progressing after facing criticism in previous months. The new regulations intend to give more flexibility to local officials in their enforcement of punishments.

Maryland officials felt it was necessary to alter student discipline policies in light of numerous cases where extreme punishments were given for minor and non-violent infractions. For instance, several students in Montgomery County have been suspended for making finger-guns or gun noises in their schools despite posing no real threat. These types of situations suggested there are more plausible ways to handle student disruptions than handing down harsh punishments through zero-tolerance policies.

The state wishes to move away from zero-tolerance policies, which have prevented local school officials from addressing individual situations exclusively and forced punishments that seem overly punitive. The new guidelines plan to give local officials discretion in cases regarding student discipline by providing “a framework for Maryland school districts to use in establishing local district codes of conduct and in developing new discipline-related policies”, wrote the MSDE in an informative statement.

Many teachers and staff are still skeptical about what the new regulations will bring, and have voiced their concern through the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA) and Maryland State Education Association (MSEA). A major fear is that serious infractions by a student will be disciplined leniently. “We fully agree that change is needed,” stated president of the MSEA Betty Weller in a formal letter to the state, “but that change needs to take into consideration … the vast majority of students who are not involved in disciplinary issues, but are affected when there is a lack of order in the classroom or school.”

The lack of clarity in the language used by the state in the regulations has also led to strong concerns. “We are very worried in this era of so much school violence about rules and consequences for violent acts,” said English teacher Gloria Condelli, head union rep for the MCEA at Sherwood. Condelli fears that vague language was used to thwart attempts of protest over the new policies, as many staff members are curious as to what exactly these new policies would bring if implemented. Although the MCEA opposes absolute zero-tolerance policies, they do not want to deviate from them to the point that schools become less safe.

Principal Bill Gregory supports the idea of decreasing suspensions across the state when other options are available to improve student behavior. “I think there has to be some things where there are zero-tolerance [policies, such as] behaviors that warrant a removal from the building,” said Gregory. These offenses include violent behavior and distributing drugs and alcohol. Gregory feels he should use his position of authority to remove a student from the educational environment only if it is absolutely necessary.

Although Gregory supports mandatory repercussions for serious misconduct, he prefers alternative programs and educational services to long-term suspensions. “I don’t do things to remove education. I have to do things to maintain law and order in the school,” said Gregory.