美媒：美国学校严惩制度卷土重来

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the shift in discipline policies in U.S. K-12 public schools, moving from progressive approaches emphasizing psychological counseling to stricter measures in response to increasing behavioral issues in classrooms [1][3]. Group 1: New Policies by States - Texas has passed a law allowing teachers to remove misbehaving students from classrooms and extend in-school suspensions, responding to approximately 3,300 reported attacks on school staff during the 2023-2024 school year [2]. - Arkansas has enacted legislation that prevents students removed for violent behavior from returning to their original classes, while also eliminating previous mandates for "positive behavior support" methods [2]. - Washington State has implemented new regulations easing restrictions on student expulsions and suspensions, with similar measures adopted in Louisiana and Nevada, supported by some teachers' unions [2]. Group 2: Shift from "Therapeutic" Approaches - The recent actions indicate a departure from the previous emphasis on "therapeutic" or "restorative" methods before removing students from classrooms, which were promoted during the Obama and Biden administrations [3]. - The "soft discipline" policies have led to increased incidents of violence against teachers, with educators expressing feelings of helplessness in managing disruptive students [3]. - The persistence of disruptive students in classrooms is seen as exacerbating academic disparities, particularly in underprivileged schools, contradicting the goals of "racial justice" [3]. Group 3: Federal Government's Role - Some states are no longer under federal pressure to adopt therapeutic methods, following a directive from the U.S. government to allow local control over school discipline policies [4]. - The new policies eliminate federal investigations into racial disparities in student punishment, enabling schools to base disciplinary actions on student behavior rather than race [4]. - Local school districts are viewed as better positioned to balance the safety and rights of both teachers and students, potentially leading to more effective discipline measures [4].