Marcus (whose name was changed to protect his
identity) was absent for two days. I called his mom to check in, as is my
custom when a student is out for more than one day, and she told me that the
incident we had discussed during the previous week had landed Marcus a
suspension hearing, a possible superintendent's suspension, and up to three
months in an alternative learning center. It had been reported that Marcus
jumped a student outside of school during the week prior, however, there was
very little evidence to back up this claim and although in the reports there
was more than one person involved, Marcus was the only one accused and
prosecuted. He was given a full two-month suspension and his time was extended
for an incident that took place in the alternative learning center. When he
came back to take the state English Language Arts and math exam he told me he
was guessing on every question because he hadn’t learned anything since he left
our school. His extreme lack of confidence, as an effect of his suspension,
resulted in an inability to access his short and long term memory and complete
his work to the best of his ability.
- Sarah Arvey, 7th grade teacher in math and
science special education in a Queens public school
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